Red Onion Prices in PH Surpass P700 per Kilo

Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) shows that the price of red onions in the Philippines has reached an all-time high of PHP720 per kilogram.

This comes as the DA’s latest price monitoring in Metro Manila markets shows another bump to the per kilogram price of red onions, which now range from PHP500 to PHP700, which increased from yesterday’s price of around PHP500 per kilogram.

The PHP700 price of red onions also marks a seven-fold increase in red onion prices from six months ago, when red onion prices in the country were pegged at only PHP100 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, Local white onions are currently being sold at PHP600 per kilogram.

These price hikes have occurred despite the DA’s efforts to address the issue.

In a media briefing, DA Deputy Spokesman Rex Estoperez attributed the unusual price increase to the “off-season,” but expects prices to decrease during the peak harvest season in January.

The DA has also announced that it will not be importing onions for the remainder of the year due to the expected increase in supply.

However, Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban revealed that smugglers may be hoarding onions in warehouses.

In recent weeks, authorities have seized smuggled red onions worth PHP 20 million and smuggled yellow onions worth PHP 30 million. (GFB)