DA monitoring retail price of fruits

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is monitoring the retail price of local fruits amid the expected increase in demand during the New Year celebration.

Among the fruits included in the monitoring of the DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) are watermelon, melon, pomelo, avocado, mango and papaya.

Based on monitoring of the DA in Metro Manila markets, watermelon price ranged between P60 and P90 per kilo; pomelo, between P80 and P250 per kilo; melon, from P60 to P140 per kilo; avocado, from P300 to P600 per kilo; mango, P150 to P300 per kilo; and papaya, between P60 and P90 per kilo.

Preparing at least 12 or 13 round fruits on New Year’s Eve is a tradition for many consumers as it symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.

On the other hand, the retail price of vegetables remains high amid the devastation brought by the successive typhoons to the agriculture sector, particularly high value crops.

The retail price of tomatoes goes for as high as P280 per kilo; eggplant, as high as P150 per kilo; pechay tagalog, as high as P120 per kilo; string beans, up to P140 per kilo; bitter gourd, P180 per kilo: squash, P70 per kilo.

The retail price of siling labuyo reached as high as P700 per kilo.

Meanwhile, carrots are sold as high as P200 per kilo; Baguio beans, as high as P280 per kilo; potatoes, up to P170 per kilo; chayote, P100 per kilo; cauliflower, P350 per kilo; bell pepper, P400 per kilo; broccoli, P400 per kilo; and cabbage, as high P120 per kilo.

Based on monitoring of the DA, the retail price of pork shoulder ranged between  P290 and P370 per kilo; pork belly, between P330 and P410 per kilo; whole chicken, between P185 and P230 per kilo; beef rump, between P400 and P500 per kilo; beef brisket, between P320 and P460 per kilo; and medium-sized eggs, between P6.50 and P8 per piece.