Tomato prices down by more than 50% since July

From a high of P200 per kilo last month, tomato prices have gone down to as low as P80 per kilo.

Because of this low price, some farmers in Nueva Vizcaya have reportedly been dumping their tomato produce.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said they are now coordinating with their regional field offices in Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley to check on the reportedsurplus. 

"Either ibigay sa Kadiwa (stores) or dalhin dito sa Metro Manila, tulungan doon sa mga trucking para makarating dito," De Mesa said.

(The surplus could be donated to Kadiwa stores or brought here in Metro Manila. They just need help regarding trucking.)

Based on the latest monitoring by the DA, tomato prices range from P80 to P120 per kilo.

To avoid a big surplus on vegetable harvest, the DA is looking at possible areas to put up agricultural infrastructures. 

"Doon sa mga lugar na mga key production area, magkaroon ng tamang post-harvest and cold storages kasi those cold storages will prolong the life," he said.

"Kasi kung wala 'yan, in a matter of days mahihinog agad, walang magawa farmer but to dispose it at a very low price," De Mesa added.

(In key production areas, we'll have post-harvest and cold storages because those cold storages could prolong the life of vegetables. If it weren't for them, the vegetables will get ripe immediately and the farmer will have no choice but to dispose of them at a very low price.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News