Ex-DA chief criticizes decision to import onions

MANILA, Philippines — Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor on Friday criticized the Department of Agriculture’s decision to import 3,000 metric tons of red onions and 1,000 metric tons of white onions, calling it ill-timed amid the ongoing harvest.

“The DA’s decision is ill-timed. Onion harvests have begun in major producing municipalities like Bayambang in Pangasinan, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro and Bongabon and Laur in Nueva Ecija,” Montemayor said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. defended the move, saying it is necessary to ensure enough supply and prevent a spike in the retail prices amid the projected 7,000 metric tons deficit of onions this month.

Montemayor, however, warned that the importation could negatively impact local farmers.

“Importation will depress farmgate prices and will aggravate the current plight of onion producers, who have been facing more expensive farm inputs and infestation by harabas or army worms,” he said.

Montemayor acknowledged the DA’s intention to prevent a repeat of the extremely high onion prices in 2022, when retail prices soared to as high as P720 per kilo due to shortages and hoarding.

“However, the DA – together with the Department of Trade and Industry and other law enforcement agencies – must also monitor cold storage operators and traders and counter any profiteering or cartelistic behavior,” he said.

Montemayor also pointed out that there was no apparent consultation with farmers and their organizations regarding the DA’s decision.

Tiu Laurel justified his decision to allow the importation, saying the country’s monthly consumption for red onions is at 17,000 metric tons and 4,000 metric tons for white onions.

As of mid-January, the Bureau of Plant Industry reported that red onion stocks in storage stood at 8,500 metric tons while white onion stocks were at 1,628 metric tons.

Meanwhile, An official of the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT) said on Friday the limited stocks of white and red onions are already being felt at the trading center amid the DA’s decision to import due to the expected supply deficit this month.

In a radio interview, NVAT director general Aivan Kurt Alfaro said the wholesale price of onions decreased in February compared to last month.

“For red onions, there is a tight supply here in Nueva Vizcaya but for white onions, we need to boost the supply as the stocks are few for white onions,” Alfaro said.

“The harvest has started but it is still limited. For white onions, we really need the stocks as the supplies are already limited,” he added.

According to Alfaro, the demand for onions remains low but is expected to increase in March, adding that imported onions should be stored to allow farmers to sell their produce to traders.

“It is better not to release (the imported onions) as the harvest has already started,” Alfaro said.

He also emphasized that the timing of the release of imported bulbs is crucial to ensuring that local onion farmers are not affected.

According to Tiu Laurel, the imported onions are expected to begin arriving on Feb. 20.