Chinese and Indian produce
Philippines: Red onion imports to quell shortage
The Vegetable Importers and Exporters Association (VIEVA) says the imports will help with a shortage of red onions, that has been taking place over the past two months.
December usually sees an uptick in red onion consumption in the Philippines due to the holidays. Filipinos consume an average of 7,000 to 8,000 metric tons of mixed red and white onions during the month.
"The importation is only good for 20 days. Just so that consumers will have something to go by until the early onion harvest starts coming in," VIEVA President Leah Cruz said.
The importation was approved by the Bureau of Plant Industry in October. The BPI authorised the entrance of 8,500 MT Chinese and Indian red creole onions, about 65% of the estimated shortage of 12,400 MT.
The bureau says that the rest of the shortfall will be made up with locally produced shallots.
With the entry of the imported stock prices have reduced considerably from P130 ($3.17) per kilo to P50-60 per kilo.
The price of white onion is also stable at P35 to P45 per kilo while local shallots are currently priced at P30 to P50 per kilo.
Source: rappler.com
