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The Philippines is set to import 16,000 metric tons of white onions until the end of 2024
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Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel approved the importation of white onion to replenish domestic supply and ensure stable prices
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The Department of Agriculture will issue sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances every two weeks to prevent a supply glut and avoid affecting existing stocks of red onions
The Philippines is set to import 16,000 metric tons (MT) of white onions until the end of 2024.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel in a statement said he has approved the importation of white onion in limited quantity to replenish domestic supply and ensure stable price of the vegetable.
Tiu Laurel remarked the total import volume of 16,000 MT white onions will be spread over for the last four months of the year.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will issue sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances every two weeks to prevent a supply glut and avoid affecting existing stocks of red onions.
“We will do this by batches, in limited quantity so as not to affect existing stocks of red onions as well. We will issue permits every two weeks,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA chief said the additional supply of white or yellow onions should arrive in the country before the end of 2024 to prevent the importation from impacting local onion farmers’ output early next year.
Unlike red onion that is abundantly produced in the country, local production of white or yellow onion is limited.
Tiu Laurel said the current supply of red onion is enough until March 2025.
Previously, the DA in January ordered the suspension of onion imports until May but was extended to July then August.
As of August 29, the prevailing price of local red onions is between P75 and P160 per kilogram and P90 to P140/kg for white onions in the Metro Manila area, according to DA Price Watch.
