DA orders destruction of P86.7 million Chinese onions

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has directed the destruction of an onion shipment from China worth P86.7 million, after laboratory tests found the imports in an advanced state of decay.

The shipment of 26 shipping containers of red onions was abandoned at the Manila International Container Port between December 2025 and January 2026.

The Bureau of Plant Industry said the containers had a total of 72,215 bags or about 650 metric tons, roughly equivalent to a day’s national consumption.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who joined the inspection last week, sought a probe to determine why the consignment was abandoned with unpaid duties and taxes estimated at P9.7 million.

“If the shipment is legitimate, why was it left behind and not claimed? Why were the corresponding taxes and fees not paid?” Pangilinan said. “This must be answered so that those behind it can be held accountable and our farmers can be protected.”

With months of exposure and a lack of proper handling of onions, officials observed sprouting, rotting, fungal infestation, discoloration and a foul odor.

“The results of the laboratory analysis show that the shipment poses serious health risks and is no longer fit for human consumption. We cannot allow these to enter the market,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

He said the immediate destruction of the entire consignment is necessary to avoid the risks of contamination and pest infestation in the valuable port space.