The price of tomatoes in Mangaldan Public Market has dropped to P10 per kilo, down from P20 per kilo in previous weeks, due to excess supply and low demand.

Tomato vendors are struggling to sell their stock, with many of their products overripe and unsold.

“Bagsak na bagsak ang presyo ng kamatis. Grabe, walang magawa na mabulukan kami,” Brenda De Guzman, a vendor, said.

With the price drop, many buyers are purchasing more tomatoes for everyday cooking.

“Mura na kaya pwede na maggisa ng kamatis,” Noli Barbo, a customer, said.

FARM GATE PRICE REACH P4 PER KILO

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), farmers across the province are harvesting tomatoes at the same time, causing an oversupply.

The farm gate price of tomatoes is now between P4 to P5 per kilo. This forced some farmers to sell at a loss.

The tomato harvest season will continue in the coming weeks, but prices may return to normal by March, according to SINAG.

The group plans to propose a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) for tomatoes to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to stabilize prices in the future.

“We hope na mapag-usapan with DA na magkaroon ng certain price na hindi malulugi ang farmers so ‘yung SRP makagawa ng presyo,” Engr. Rosendo So, Chairman of SINAG, said.

For now, consumers can enjoy cheaper tomatoes, but farmers and vendors continue to struggle with losses due to the oversupply.