DA: Onion import ban extended to July

PRICED TO MAKE YOU CRY The Inquirer went to Marikina Public Market on Tuesday and confirmed that red onions, like the ones sold at this stall, are being sold at P600 per kilo, as reported by the Department of Agriculture. —Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is extending the ban on onion importations “maybe until July” as the country is assured of a stable supply and prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Monday.

“We will extend the ban on onion importation. Cold storage facilities in onion-producing areas are full and prices in retail markets are low. There’s no reason to import,” Tiu Laurel said.

According to him, an importation round will only be done when necessary, particularly in case of a spike in prices and should domestic supply fall short due to “unscrupulous” traders.

Only if necessary

“Personally, I am monitoring the situation. If ever there is a spike in onion prices, that may mean there is probably a lack of supply, [and] there are unscrupulous traders. Then, we will activate our importation only when necessary,” Tiu Laurel said.

In January, the DA temporarily halted the entry of imported onions into the country until May—with a possible extension until July—to prevent further depressing retail prices due to a supply glut.

Tiu Laurel said at the time that the fresh harvest plus the late arrival of 99 tons of imported onions resulted in an oversupply of the produce.

Ordered in December 2023, the imported onions arrived in the country in the first two weeks of January this year.

But since then, onion prices have been good, Tiu Laurel said, citing the DA’s latest monitoring.

According to him, red onions are selling at P60 to P70 per kilogram in Balintawak Market in Quezon City, while white onions are priced at P60 per kg.

On Jan. 19 this year, after the DA announced the importation ban, local red onions were being sold at P110 to P200 per kg. Imported red onions, on the other hand, were cheaper at between P80 and P170 per kg.

Local white onions were priced between P70 and P140 per kg, while imported white onions retailed from P80 to P140 per kg.