In the know: Onions

In 2012, the Philippines ranked 59th among 175 countries in world production of dry bulb onions. China was the top producer (22.6 million metric tons of the world’s 82.85 million MT), followed by India (16.3 million MT), United States (3.2 million MT), Iran (2.2 million MT) and Russia (2 million MT).

In 2013, Philippine production totaled 134,169.92 MT with Central Luzon contributing 57 percent (73,911.12 MT); Ilocos region, 31 percent (39,770.05 MT); Mimaropa, 8 percent (12,589.12 MT); Cagayan Valley, 5 percent (7,208.27 MT), and other regions, 1 percent (690.98 MT). Total area planted was 15,415.47 hectares.

In Central Luzon, the biggest onion producer is Nueva Ecija with 73,911.12 MT or 99.99 percent of the region’s total output. The onion varieties planted in Nueva Ecija are red onion, yellow or white onion and shallot. Farmers growing onions total 13,250.

The Philippines’ onion exports, mainly the red shallot type, total 3,571 MT valued at $1,565 million  with 65 percent of them coming from Nueva Ecija. About 85 percent of the exports go to Indonesia.

Per capita consumption of onions in the Philippines in 2014 was 2.04 kg per year up from 0.87 kg in 2006.

Red creole is the preferred variety because of its longer storage life. Yellow Granex is used for spicing up meat, salad, vegetable dishes and as topping for pizza.

Sources: Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics and provincial agricultural office of Nueva Ecija