Red onion price cap to rise to P150/k

MANILA, Philippines, December 11 ------ The maximum suggested retail price or SRP for red onions will be increased to P150 per kilo from P120 due to rising supplier costs, according to the Department of Agriculture.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told state-run PTV yesterday that the cost of imported red onions, including those from China, India and the Netherlands went up again. “We are adjusting the max SRP, probably effective tomorrow,” he said.

As for white onions, Laurel said its max SRP would remain at P120 per kilo. The DA is crafting a new labeling requirement for locally grown and imported onions, Laurel said. Onion imports will be suspended after January next year to accommodate the local harvest expected in February, he said.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa earlier said the country would import around 48 million metric tons of red onions until year-end to curb soaring prices. About 14,223 MT of imported white onions are also expected before the end of the month.

Source: philstar.com