DA authorizes importation anew of 4,000 MT of red and white onions

Department of Agriculture and onion

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed on Thursday that he had authorized the importation of 4,000 metric tons (MT) of red and white onions to avert big-time price spikes last experienced in 2022.

“This importation of 3,000 metric tons of red onions and 1,000 metric tons of white onions is intended to ensure we have [sufficient buffer] stocks while we await the fresh harvest,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

“We will not risk a potential shortage that unscrupulous traders could exploit to drive up prices, as we saw in the past. We do not want a repeat of the 2022 crisis,” he added.

READ: 12 ‘onion cartel’ members bared, face P2.4-B fines

In 2022, retail prices of onions reached a record high of P700 per kilogram due to a supply shortage aggravated by delayed imports.

Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that red onion stocks in storage stood at 8,500 MT, while white onion stocks were at 1,628 MT as of mid-January.

The inventory of red onions, following a bumper harvest last year, was expected to last until February, when the new harvest season begins, the DA said.

“While we were assured during our consultative meetings that there is still [an] ample supply of onions, BPI recommended minimal imports to prevent major price spikes,” BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said.

“Also, due to the typhoons that hit late last year and [the] prevalence of pests and disease, this importation is meant to be a buffer for possible supply gaps. This move is a preemptive measure,” he added.

According to the BPI, the national monthly consumption is pegged at 17,000 MT for red onions and 4,000 MT for white onions.