Summer heat jacks up prices of agri products

CEBU, Philippines - The surge in the prices of some agricultural produce in Cebu City's public markets is expected as a result of hot weather but vendors warned of further price escalations at the height of El Niño phenomenon warnings issued by the government.

Vendor Jen Presbitero, 27, whose family has been tending a stall at the Carbon Public Market for more than 20 years now, said prices of vegetables that don't usually thrive in summer have already tripled.

Locally-grown ginger and the Taiwan-imported garlic are now selling at P140 to P180 per kilo from the usual rate of P60 per kilo. Chicharo, a popular garnish to pansit and chopsuey, is now pegged at P240, an almost 150 percent increase from its normal selling price.

Vendors have also noted a considerable hike in the prices of broccoli, cauliflower and spring onion, which are now being sold P20 to P40 higher than usual.

The prices of chicken, pork and farm-harvested fish, such as bangus and tilapia, remain steady, however. In addition, prices of carrot, bell pepper, onion, potato and chayote have also kept within normal levels.

Still, vendors said the sweltering summer heat is taking its toll on suppliers who are now required to spend more for irrigation, fertilizer and overhead in their operations.

In Cebu, where a record-high temperature of 32.8 degrees Celsius was recorded on Monday, agricultural products are mainly sourced from the southern towns of Dalaguete and Alcoy, as well as from the upland areas of Cebu City.

While no significant price fluctuations were reported for other agricultural items, the prevailing market rates are expected to hang about for quite a while until producers are able to come up with more supply starting August when the weather is seen to be more favorable.

The recent pronouncement by the Department of Science and Technology of a looming El Niño phenomenon that might hit the country in June is not helping middle income and poorer section consumers either.

El Niño may trigger drought and storms, which are good ingredients to price increase of basic goods, including agricultural produce.

But are consumers in Central Visayas on the brink of a supply threat with a drought knocking on the door?

Joy Ebarita, staff member at the agri-business and marketing assistance division of the Department of Agriculture-7, said the current market rates may be indicative of the products' availability in the farms.

On their watch, Ebarita said only the prices of fish and some vegetables have moved with prices of meat and poultry products unchanged. No apparent production or market threat is seen so far.

Ebarita, however, said the agriculture department has already laid out mitigating measures should the projected drought push  through next month.

"We always encourage producers to plant short-gestating crops or those that could resist the heat. There are vegetables that can be harvested in a matter of one month only, just like lettuce," said Ebarita.

She also said the department is urging farmers to plant root crops as they are likely to withstand rising temperatures.

Other mitigating measures of the agriculture department include holding a supply of inputs as a reserve to safeguard unforeseen shortages or demands, monitoring and surveillance, as well as propagation of planting materials.

Ebarita also said vendors who are found overpricing their products will be reported to the Department of Trade and Industry. (FREEMAN)