DA: Imported red onions now in markets

MANILA, Philippines — Imported red onions are now available in the markets after the arrival of at least 500 metric tons (MT) of imported red bulbs, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.

He added that onions sold at P90 per kilo particularly at Mega Q-Mart in Quezon City were part of the 3,000 MT of imported bulbs authorized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to be imported.

The imported red onions were sold at Mega Q-Mart on Tuesday.

The DA has allowed the importation of 4,000 MT of bulbs, including 3,000 MT of red onions and 1,000 MT of white onions.

Agriculture spokesman Arnel de Mesa has said that at least 459 MT of red onions and 200 MT of white bulbs already arrived in the country.

According to him, the retail price of red onions is expected to go down between P80 and P100 per kilo with the arrival of the imported bulbs.

The DA has defended the importation of onions amid opposition from farmers’ groups, saying it was necessary to tame the high retail price of bulbs.

Farmers’ groups warned that the imported bulbs could bring down the farmgate price of onions amid the harvest season.