Red onions hit P720 per kilo in some markets

The price of red onions exceeded P700 a kilo in some markets in Metro Manila on Wednesday, as the Department of Agriculture said that the onion supply in the country was only enough for four days.

In Bernadette Reyes’ “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, the DA held a meeting with the onion farmers to address the increasing prices of onions and the possibility of importation, with the country's onion supply at only about 2,209.45 metric tons as of December 15, enough for four days.

According to the onion farmer’s group, they have started to harvest onions which they said can affect its prices in mid-January.

“Malaki po ang ibaba ng presyo ng sibuyas dahil marami na pong magiging ani,” Israel Reguyal, chairman of Bonena Multi-Purpose Cooperative, said.

“Tayo po ngayon ay dumidiretso sa ating mga onion farmers… This is also our way of protecting them para alam po natin ang fear nila if bumaha ng importation, and we don’t want that,” DA assistant secretary Kristine Evangelista said.

The price per kilo of onions is already at P500 to P720 in the Las Piñas market, according to the monitoring of the DA.

In the latest price monitoring, it can now buy per kilo of pork, chicken, fish, and rice.

The price of onions increased from P140 on September, P280 on November, P300 on December 12 to 16, P380 on December 19 to 23, and P720 on December 28.

“Presyong ginto, kaya tipid tipid,” a buyer said.

“Kahapon ang puhunan po eh P560, ngayon kanina nung dinala ng paktura ng dealer P680 na po,” Noemi Jose, vendor of vegetables, said.

“P600 lang kasi sariwa pa siya, bagong ani pa siya. Magcacanvass syempre yung mamimili kukuha ng mas mura,” another vendor said.

The DA is now coordinating with the onion farmers to sell in the market and Kadiwa stores at a more affordable price starting December 30.

“Makuluha nila sa amin ng P170, ang usapan po namin at the most is P180 po ang kanilang benta,” Evangelista said.

“Ibebenta namin separate dito sa labas, lalagyan namin ng logo ng Kadiwa. Siguro maximum one kilo per person, per customer para may allocation ma-avail din ng mga mamimili ang murang sibuyas,” Manny Pareja, president of United Vendors Las Piñas Public Market, said.

According to Mav Gonzales’ “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, at least P191 million worth of smuggled onions have been seized from container vans in several ports.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it is ready to bring the smuggled onions to the market.

“The BOC is open to donating it to the Kadiwa stores. Actually it can also be donated to other government agencies that are directly addressing relief operations natin. We leave it to their discretion if they can certify that these products are fit for human consumption,” BOC commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz said.

However, these must undergo regulatory inspection because there is a process needed.

“These are perishable items. Kailangan habulin dito. But again we have to understand dito ito di lang BOC nagde-decide. there are other agencies involved,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said they are coordinating with the customs officials to respond to the problem of smuggled onions. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News