Philippine fruit and veg sector looks for ways to manage rising fuel costs

The National Sectoral Committee on Fruits and Vegetables (NSC-FV) has called for urgent measures to shield the Philippines’ fruit and vegetable supply chain from rising fuel costs, while backing new funding proposals to expand production and reduce reliance on imports. The move was announced following the committee’s first-quarter meeting in March 2026, according to the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), a government advisory body coordinating private-sector input into agricultural policy.

Costs

Stakeholders warned that higher fuel prices are already pushing up operating costs across the value chain, including trucking, cold storage electricity, and logistics services. They also highlighted the risk of power outages disrupting storage systems and causing spoilage, particularly for sensitive commodities such as onions.

Officials noted that current price forecasting models track market trends but do not yet fully account for external shocks like fuel supply disruptions. Work is now under way to develop mitigation strategies focused on transport and fuel-related expenses, which are seen as critical to maintaining stable supplies.

Budget

Alongside the mitigation call, the committee unanimously endorsed the proposed 2027 Plan and Budget of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP). The plan prioritises fruits and vegetables, among other crops, with investment directed toward projects such as protected cultivation systems, community-based nurseries, and vegetable initiatives aimed at strengthening local food security.

The endorsement reflects a broader policy objective to boost productivity and systematically reduce dependence on imports by scaling up domestic production capacity.

Inputs

The meeting also raised concerns about rising input costs, particularly fertilisers and pesticides, and the country’s continued reliance on imported supplies. Stakeholders warned that without targeted support, these pressures could erode farmer incomes and weaken the resilience of the fruit and vegetable sector.

Additional resolutions adopted during the session included renewed policy recommendations on urban agriculture, such as using deep wells for irrigation, and continued financial support for national mango industry events.

source and photo: pcaf.da.gov.ph