On Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) stated that price manipulation is one of the possible causes of the high onion prices in public markets.
Rex Estoperez, a deputy spokesperson for the DA, claimed in an interview with GMA News’ Unang Balita that he had heard rumors that agents engaged in some “negotiations” in which standing crops of onions were sold to the highest bidder in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, and Moncada, Tarlac.
“At P350… i-times two mo ‘yan, patungan ng traders hanggang sa retailers, P700 pa rin. Kung mababa ang presyo sa ating mga farm gates, sana masawata natin itong pagtaas presyo doon sa ating mga traders,” he said.
“Pero ‘yung manipulation, pumapasok ho do’n sa ano eh… Ito ang pagkukulang ng Department of Agriculture, ‘yung sa supply chain. ‘Yung may ahente na, may traders pa. Ang sasabihin nila na kulang ang gastos nila sa pag-transport ng sibuyas from the production area to the market. Mukhang ‘yun ang malaki po,” he added.
Price manipulation behind spike in onion prices
Onion prices at local markets may be the result of a cartel, according to Senator Cynthia Villar on Monday. She cited a 2013 study that revealed the existence of an onion cartel with “total control” over the nation’s supply.
The DA on Saturday advised importing 22,000 metric tons of onions due to the ongoing increase in onion prices in open markets. According to Estoperez, this volume should come before the peak harvest, which will begin in March.
Estoperez claimed they had already decreased the 22,000 metric tons to 21,60 metric tons and asked for the imported onions to arrive sooner in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
“Mga 940 metric tons ang binawas. Tsaka ‘yung sinabi namin kahapon na basta dumating ‘yan by end of January and not later than the first week of February, mukhang binago din ‘yun. Ginawang, it must arrive on January 27,” he said.
Following concerns from a number of farmers about the government’s impending importation of onions, which may overlap with the harvesting season in February.
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