THE Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday that it will allow yellow onions imports of up to 16,000 metric tons (MT) until the end of the year.
“We approved it on Monday because our stocks will be depleted, but we still have ample supply of red onions,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters on the sidelines of a poultry and livestock event.
“Our red onion is good until March. So only a limited quantity of yellow onion will be imported, to stabilize prices,” Mr. Laurel added.
In July, Mr. Laurel extended the import ban on red onion until the end of August, with supply deemed sufficient until February 2025.
He said however that the supply of domestic yellow onions is sufficient only until the end of August.
In a draft memorandum, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said it will be issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import certificates (SPSICs) for the 16,000 MT of yellow onion, which is deemed sufficient until the end of 2024.
“With the upcoming holiday season and harvest commencing in January 2025, it is expected that the demand for yellow onion will increase. Given that the supply is very limited, it can lead to an increase of price in the market,” it said.
Mr. Laurel said the import order is timed not to disrupt the market during the harvest early next year.
“By the end of this week or early next week, the imports will come in but in limited quantities. We are doing it in batches, so the market won’t be flooded,” he added.
Mr. Laurel said SPSICs will be issued every two weeks.
The national inventory of yellow onion amounted to 1,642.31 MT as of Aug. 9, according to the BPI. On the other hand, red onion volume was 99,512.1 MT.
The BPI added that the imports were calibrated with reference to monthly per capita consumption, and will serve as a buffer to stabilize market prices.
“Possible extension of the must-arrive date will still be subject to change depending on the availability of stocks and prices,” it added. — Adrian H. Halili
