DA Mulls Vegetable Importation, Regional Sourcing to Address Price Spikes in NCR, Luzon

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is exploring strategies to stabilize the supply of vegetables in Metro Manila and typhoon-affected areas in Luzon, following sharp price increases caused by recent weather disturbances.

DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa announced during a press briefing in Quezon City that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to develop recommendations for addressing the supply shortage.

Strategies to Boost Supply

The DA’s approach includes sourcing vegetables from other regions as a priority. However, the department is also considering importation if local sourcing proves insufficient.

“The priority is to get vegetables from other regions so that there would be no need to import,” de Mesa said, emphasizing that importation would only be considered under “extraordinary circumstances.”

The BPI has been tasked with determining the types and volumes of vegetables needed, with a formal recommendation expected within the week.

Price Spikes in Metro Manila

Data from the DA shows a notable increase in vegetable prices in Metro Manila between October 18 and November 18:

• Carrot: ₱90-₱160/kg → ₱160-₱190/kg
• Tomato: ₱110-₱200/kg → ₱150-₱230/kg
• Squash: ₱20-₱70/kg → ₱25-₱80/kg
• Pechay: ₱60-₱90/kg → ₱70-₱150/kg

Highland vegetables, such as ball cabbage, also experienced price surges, with current rates at ₱80-₱110/kg compared to ₱60-₱130/kg last month.

Extraordinary Circumstances

Heavy rains from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and other cyclones damaged roads and disrupted deliveries from key farming regions, including Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

De Mesa noted that if imports are approved, it would mark one of the rare occasions the Philippines imports vegetables in large quantities.

“These are extraordinary circumstances… because there were consecutive storms that hit the country,” he said.

The DA aims to resolve the issue quickly to prevent further burden on consumers while ensuring farmers are protected.