Just 5,000 tons of imported onions will arrive in the Philippines after importers did not avail of all the 21,060 tons of onions that have been authorized by the Department of Agriculture. According to Rosendo So, president of farmer's group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag), importers only applied for 5,000 tons of imported onions after the deadline for application ended on Jan. 13, 2023.
"We are happy it's not the maximum of 21,000 MT," So said. He added that during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform on Monday, officials of the DA and the Bureau of Customs vowed to strictly implement the Jan. 27, 2023 deadline set for the arrival of all the imported bulbs.
So added that during an investigation of the Senate panel, onion farmers were one in saying the DA should not allow the importation of the bulbs, as it will compete with the local harvest.
Source: manilatimes.net
