In coordination with the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) conducted an online consultation with the onion stakeholders on January 13, 2023.

PCAF’s National Banner Program Committee on High Value Crops-Fruits and Vegetables, chaired by Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, led the consultation to address the urgent issues confronting the industry, especially the increase in onion prices. The meeting is also in preparation for the upcoming Senate hearing on the matter.

The Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service reported that from January 9 to 13, 2023, the price per kilogram (kg) of red onion is PhP400.  This is PhP100 less than the previous week’s price of PhP500/kg. The price of white onion also decreased by PhP150 per kg and is at PhP350 per kg compared to the previous week’s price of PhP500.

As of January 7, 2023, BPI also reported that a total of 23 metric tons of red onions are available in the different cold storage facilities nationwide. It also clarified that there was no importation of onions in 2022. The imported onions that arrived during the said year were late arrivals with Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance issued in FY 2021.

The HVCDP also discussed the onion cropping calendars of the top producing regions, namely the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas. The planting season for most of these regions starts in September and the harvesting season is in January, with some regions starting to harvest as early as December. In addition, HVCDP also discussed the cost structure, from production to retail, to shed light on the difference between farmgate and retail prices of onions.

More than 100 industry stakeholders attended the consultation to identify possible solutions for the insufficient supply and high prices of onions. In showing commitment and support on this matter, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations Mercedita Sombilla and PCAF Executive Director III Nestor Domenden also attended the meeting. | JCL