VENDORS at Bankerohan Public Market and Agdao Public Market are expecting the prices of onion to slowly decrease in the coming weeks after the national government has allowed the importation of the commodity.
As of January 11, 2023, the prices of red and yellow onions are ranging from P450 to P680 per kilogram (kg). During the holidays it peaked at P700/kg.
Wholesale prices for both red and white onions being sold along F. Bangoy Street, Agdao averaged P3,600 per 10 kilograms. During the holidays, they were priced at an average of P4,200 per 10 kilograms.
Some vendors interviewed by SunStar Davao on January 11, 2023 said the price is already at its lowest because they hope to sell as many onions as they can to prevent them from rotting.
“Karon ginapahurot namo ang among baligya, ginapagamay namong presyo, samtang wala pay stock na miabot sa amoa (Now we are selling as much onions as we can. The prices now are lower but we have not received any new stocks),” one vendor, who requested to withhold their name, said.
However, vendors are expecting prices of onions to continue to decrease, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also the Agriculture Secretary, approved the importation of 21,060 metric tons of red and yellow onions.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture – Davao Region (DA-Davao) said they cannot give an estimate on how much the exact price drop for onions will be.
However, DA-Davao said they were given a green light to import onions by their Central Office.
The department added that once imported onions arrive in the region, they will monitor the movement of the onions together with Plant Quarantine Service-Davao Region (PQS-Davao). This is to ensure that the prices of onions will stabilize and prevent hoarding. The Port of Davao has been identified as among the entry points for imported onions.
They will also make sure that the farmers will not be at a disadvantage in their earnings. ICE
