The Philippines government is considering importing 7 000 metric tons of red onions after retail prices hit P300 ($5.2) per kg, well above the P170 ($2.96) suggested price.
The agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said they are considering the importation while their plant bureau is investigating if there is a shortage in the country. Any importation will not affect local production according to him, because farmers have not started harvesting yet.
Their planting season is from October to December and harvesting from February to March. A lack of cold storage facilities or middle men are causing the prices to increase.