Philippines approves onion and carrot imports to curb rising prices

The Department of Agriculture of Philippines (DA) has approved the importation of red and white onions, as well as carrots, to help stabilise retail prices in local markets.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the country began importing onions earlier than planned after prices of red onions rose to PHP 140–160 per kilo (USD 2.37–2.71). He noted that some traders might be holding back stocks to drive prices up, prompting the DA to authorise earlier arrivals.

Around 3,000 to 5,000 metric tons of red onions will be imported, with shipments expected until a month before the local harvest in February. Imports of white onions, which started in September, have already helped lower prices to PHP 100–120 per kilo (USD 1.69–2.03) from a previous high of PHP 160 (USD 2.71).

The DA also began allowing limited carrot imports on October 1, initially a few hundred tons, to ease price increases. Carrots may be sourced from China, the Netherlands, and Cambodia. As of Wednesday, local carrot prices in Metro Manila averaged PHP 257.58 per kilo (USD 4.36), based on DA-Bantay Presyo data.

source: pna.gov.ph

photo: blog.plantwise.org