Onion farmers are protected from imports until March 2027

LOCAL ONION farmers are protected from imported onions from now until March 2027.

The  Department of Agriculture assured that no imports of red onions would be allowed as domestic production is  more than adequate to meet demand.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the country has an adequate supply of onions nationwide.

“With the current supply in stock, we don’t have to import onions until March next year, for red,”  Laurel  told reporters at the sidelines of a market inspection at New Las Piñas City Public Market.

Laurel said this move will help protect the profitability of local onion farmers.

For white onions, however, a possible importation was considered but only at a limited level.

“We might lack supply by November so we might trigger a little quantity of white onion imports,” the PNA quoted Laurel but the volume has yet to be determined by the Bureau of Plant Industry.

The issuance of import clearances likewise will be limited for a certain period to ensure protection for local farmers.

“For our farmers in Nueva Ecija and Mindoro, we will make sure that it will not reach until February,” Laurel said.

He assured that current retail price adjustments in local markets are only affected by logistics challenges, not supply gaps.

Retail  prices as of August 3 of both local red and white onions in Metro Manila range from P70 per kg to P160/kg, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo.

Imported red onions, meanwhile, are at P95 per kg; while for imported white onions, prices range from P100 to P150. IB) of the Presidential Communications.