Yellow onion prices stable as imports arrive

MANILA, Philippines — At least 10,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh yellow onions arrived in the country, augmenting domestic stocks and stabilizing prices as all local supplies have been nearly consumed in the market.

Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed that some 10,370 MT of fresh yellow onions have been imported into the country as of Oct. 24.

The latest figure accounts for almost 65 percent of the 16,000 MT import volume approved by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in August following the projected depletion of stocks of locally produced yellow onions.

BPI data showed that 1,173 MT of fresh yellow onions were imported in August, 5,857 MT in September and 3,140 MT in October.

With the entry of imported stocks, retail prices of yellow onions in Metro Manila markets have remained stable.

The retail prices of imported yellow onions in Metro Manila markets ranged from P70 to P140 per kilo while locally produced white onion supplies cost between P90 and P140 per kilo, based on the latest Department of Agriculture (DA) price monitoring report.

Last month, fresh yellow onions in Metro Manila retailed between P90 and P160 per kilo for the imported variant while locally produced yellow onions fetched P90 to P150 per kilo, based on the DA report.

Meanwhile, the retail prices of locally produced red onions have remained stable, selling at P70 to P150 per kilo despite the absence of any importation program for the commodity this year.

BPI data showed that no single red onion from abroad has entered the country since the DA decided to hold off any importation plans following a bumper harvest this year with locally produced stocks projected to last until the first quarter of next year.

There are still at least 77,675 MT of red onions in local cold storages, based on a separate BPI report. 

Meanwhile, the country has around 2,922 MT of yellow onions in stock as of Oct. 18, almost three-fourths of which are imported.