Group Says That Onion Imports Can Discourage Farmers and Drive Prices Down

The Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magsisibuyas ng Nueva Ecija (Kasamne) group has mentioned that if the proposal for onion importations until the first week of February pushes through, local onion farmers would be “on the losing end”.

According to Kasamne Vice President Eric Alvarez stated that in Nueva Ecija, the onion harvest has already begun and is predicted to peak come February. He adds that the farmgate prices of onions are on a downward trend, from a previous ₱350 per kg to ₱300 per kg last Sunday.

“Prices were higher in previous days because the rains prevented us from harvesting our crop. Supply did not reach the market. Right now, however, harvest is ongoing,”  said Alvarez.

“It is possible that the farm-gate price of onion will be on a downtrend. And if we import and the shipments arrive in February, then it would have a direct impact on our main harvest.”

Onion crop harvesting is usually done during the first semester of the year.

According to Agriculture Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez, there is a proposal to increase domestic supply by importing over 22,000 MT of onion and bring down retail prices that have gone to almost over ₱700 per kilogram last December.

Assistant Secretary Estoperez says that the proposed importation would only be valid until the first week of February to make sure that these would not arrive during peak harvest season.

It was also mentioned by Estoperez that this proposal would still need the approval of Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will have the final decision.

Source: Business Mirror