Farmers from Cagayan, Isabela burdened with oversupply of pineapples

The farmers from the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela have expressed concern over the low prices of pineapples due to oversupply, according to the report of Oscar Oida on "Saksi."

According to a report from GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, in some areas in Isabela, pineapples are being sold at P10 each. These areas include Ilagan, Echague, San Guillermo, Benito Soliven, and San Mariano.

The pineapples are being sold cheap even if the farm gate prices are between P15 and P20 per piece.

In order to avoid wasting the harvested pineapples, farmers give some to animals.

Mho Anahaw, a pineapple farmer from Echague town in Isabela, said there were more fruits that were harvested last year.

This year, however, the harvest was done at the same time the fruits in nearby provinces of Cavite and Laguna were harvested.

The problem, Anahaw said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, is that fruit buyers opt to buy from Cavite and Laguna instead of traveling farther north to Isabela or the forest region.

The farmers asked for assistance from the government.

Department of Agriculture Cagayan Valley Region Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo however said the agency does not have the cash to give to the farmers.

However, the farmers are referred to food processors in Manila.

Meanwhile, pineapples from Pamplona town in Cagayan are sold in Ilocos Norte at P50 each.

During days when sales are low, however, the farmers agree to sell their pineapples for P100 for three pieces. —BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News