Ginger prices jump to P300 per kilo at some NCR markets

The price of ginger has climbed to as high as P300 per kilo in some markets in Metro Manila.
 
In Maki Pulido’s report on 24 Oras on Monday, vendors at Farmer’s Market in Quezon City said ginger prices went up from P180 to P300 per kilo within the past two weeks.

Vendor Remy Basili said she took on 10 kilos to sell instead of her usual 25 since she is unable to sell it all.

"Pag ganito ka mahal, konti rin 'yung tubo," she added.

(When it's this expensive, the profit margin will be small.)

“Ngayon lang po tumaas masyado ang local ng ganito kalaki. Dati, P190, P200 ang pinakamataas,” vendor Raffy Bayanay said.

(The price only increased recently. Before, the highest price was P190 to P200.)

Consumer Jerick Hung could not believe that the piece of ginger he had purchased had cost P36. Before, he said, he could have gotten three times the amount of ginger for P30.

Since the price of locally produced ginger increased, vendors like Mara Tedeo have started selling imported ginger, which sells for P20 less.

According to rice watch group Bantay Bigas, traders buy ginger during the harvest season and are able to sell it in the market when supply falls.

“Ganun pa rin 'yung sistema. Kung sino talaga 'yung mga trader na nakakabili sila yung merong post-harvest facility, sila yung may cold storage, kaya kayang-kaya nilang itakda yung presyo,” said Cathy Estavillo, convenor of  Bantay Bigas.

(The system is still the same because the traders who can buy have post-harvest facilities and cold storage, so they are the ones dictating the prices.)

Due to El Niño, the prices of lowland and highlight vegetables have also increased by P20 to P30.  

“Dahil sa nasira nga yung kanilang mga pananim, hanggang gula, talagang back to basics sila na nanawagan sila ng compensation, ayuda sa gobyerno para makabili sila ng mga pananim nila,” Estavillo said.

(Because their crops were destroyed, the farmers are asking for compensation and ayuda from the government so that they can buy seedlings.)

GMA Integrated News has sought comment from the Department of Agriculture. — Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News