INQUIRER file photo/Bureau of Customs
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture announced Friday it will issue a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance for the importation of fresh onions.
The DA stated the importation aims to ensure an ample supply for the upcoming holidays and to prevent the rapid price increase experienced in 2022.
“This intervention of the government is to guarantee an ample supply amidst the increasing demand by the forthcoming holiday season and to ensure the public that last year’s scenario on the absurd increase in price would not be repeated,” the DA said.
The department plans to import 17,000 metric tons of red onions and 4,000 metric tons of yellow onions from China, India, and the Netherlands.
“These volumes are based on the per capita consumption of the country and will serve as a buffer to stabilize prices in the market prior to the peak harvest of local produce in March-April 2024,” the DA added.
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