The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) is evaluating onion importation to stabilize prices amid projections of insufficient supply lasting until December.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed intentions to import both red and yellow onions to supplement local supplies to fulfill the national demand. However, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has yet to specify the import volume required.
BPI anticipates submitting its recommendation to the Secretary by early July, aligning with the ongoing onion harvests this month. Current red onion stocks, as of June 13, are 85,755 metric tons, with another 3,547 metric tons anticipated to be harvested by month's end.
Total red onion stock is expected to reach approximately 89,332 metric tons, projected to suffice until November 13 according to BPI calculations. Conversely, yellow onion supplies stand at 11,740 metric tons, expected to last until September 2, with a remaining harvest of 137 metric tons projected by June's close.
To bridge the supply gap, the country requires nearly 32,000 metric tons of red onions for year-end sustainability, based on daily consumption of 585.52 metric tons, and 13,500 metric tons of yellow onions, considering a daily use of 146.38 metric tons.
Last year, abundant harvests led to surplus stocks, but issues such as spoilage in storage and typhoon damage later impacted supplies. Consequently, minimal imports occurred earlier this year: approximately 1,000 metric tons of red onions and 3,000 metric tons of yellow onions. Import decisions hinge on assessed domestic stock shortfalls.
Source: Philstar Global