Garlic prices come down, imports tightened

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said garlic prices in local markets had eased as imports were being lined up amid the tighter screening of traders.

Garlic prices had gone down by P20 up to as much as P130 per kilogram in local markets over the weekend, according to DA data.

Around 46,000 metric tons of imports before yearend were being lined up to help meet local garlic demand.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said garlic importation would not be advisable in December because it may affect the harvest season in the first quarter of 2015.

The DA said it had tightened importation guidelines to prevent the unbridled entry of imported garlic into the local market now that the local variety was gaining ground.

Farmer organizations are now required to submit a board resolution allowing them to import garlic and a detailed list of their members which shall include the farmers’ names, addresses and location of their farms.

Traders and farmer-importers are also mandated to show their financial capability by submitting bank statements, income tax returns and the papers of the accredited DA warehouse where they will store their imported garlic.

Bureau of Plant Industry experts are teaching farmers good agricultural practices for garlic.

The proper cultural management of garlic, from fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease management to harvest and processing are now being taught to garlic farmers.

A certification from the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards will be given to the farmers when they finish the lectures.

Citing the market price monitoring conducted by Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS)-Food Terminal Project, Alcala said the price of imported garlic had dropped to around P150 per kg this week from P280 on July 4 at the Pasay Public Market, Marikina Market Zone and Muñoz Market in Quezon City.

The prevailing price at the New Dagonoy Market in Manila is P150 per kg while garlic is sold at P180 per kg at the Viajero Market and Muntinlupa Public Market.

At the Pasig City Mega Market, the price went down to P200 from P280 and at the Marikina Public Market to P280 from P300.

In Quezon City, garlic prices went down at the Commonwealth Market to P180 from P300; Mega Q Mart to P200 from P280, and New Arayat Market, to P200 from P280.

Prices went down by P100 from P300 at the Polo Market in Valenzuela, while in Mandaluyong, prices dropped to P200 from P320.