Onion output improves in Q3

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s output of onions and tomato moved in opposite directions during the third quarter of the year, with the bulb vegetable rising by nearly half year-on-year as the fruit crop slipped by almost two percent.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released yesterday showed that seasonally adjusted onion production from July to September reached 104,805.68 metric tons, an increase of 46.3 percent from the 71,636.48 MT harvested during the comparable period last year.

It was also up by 20.6 percent from the 86,888.28 MT recorded during the previous quarter.

“Seasonal factors, such as the lean season, pulled down the onion production during the period,” the PSA said, explaining the lower growth.

Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted tomato production stood at 57,323.56 MT during the three-month period, down by 1.6 from the 58,236.33 MT during the same time in 2024.

“Seasonal factors, such as the harvest season and the degree of demand of traders, pulled down the tomato production during the period,” the PSA said in the same report.

Compared to the previous quarter’s 39,846.78 MT, tomato production jumped by 43.9 percent.

The PSA said production of key vegetables like onions and tomatoes is heavily influenced by seasonal factors, including planting and harvesting schedules.

Weather patterns, from rainfall to temperature fluctuations, also play a critical role in determining yields for the quarter, the government agency also said.

It added that pest outbreaks and shifts in market demand further affect output, particularly during holidays or peak consumption periods when farmers adjust planting and harvesting to match expected demand.