The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has officially addressed and refuted allegations that smuggled onions from Holland are flooding the markets in Cagayan de Oro, asserting that the majority of onion supplies in the area originate from Luzon. Officer-In-Charge and BPI Region X Manager Arnold dela Cruz Jr. clarified that thorough investigations and market monitoring activities conducted by various Department of Agriculture (DA) offices have found no evidence to support the claims of widespread onion smuggling in the region, which were suspected to be causing price depressions.
Dela Cruz reported that continuous market surveillance is being carried out in collaboration with the DA Regional Field Office and Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service to ensure the integrity of onion supply sources. Recent price monitoring in Cagayan de Oro City indicated that wholesale prices for both local and imported red onions range between P50 and P65 per kilo, with imported white onions priced slightly higher at P65 to P70 per kilo. Retail prices showed a broader range, with local red onions selling for P90 to P170 per kilo, imported red ones at P100, and imported white onions at P90 to P180 per kilo.
In response to the smuggling concerns, the farm gate price of onions in Luzon, identified as the primary source of the supply, was noted to range from P35 to P55 in January 2024. The BPI also highlighted that a substantial quantity of both local and imported onions had been legally transported to Cagayan de Oro City, with 307.1 metric tons of local red onions and 17.6 metric tons of imported white onions arriving in January alone, followed by an additional 302.8 metric tons of local red onions in February.
To address any lingering concerns regarding the potential presence of smuggled onions, the BPI has enlisted the assistance of law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Customs, to enhance monitoring and verification efforts. The Bureau’s National Plant Quarantine Service Division continues to oversee market and cold storage facility conditions in Cagayan de Oro and other areas to safeguard against the illegal importation and distribution of agricultural products.
This comprehensive approach by the BPI and collaborating entities underscores their commitment to maintaining market stability, ensuring consumer access to legally sourced produce, and protecting local farmers from unfair competition posed by smuggled goods.
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