The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that the country’s imported onion stocks are only sufficient until the local harvest season begins, dismissing concerns of oversupply.
As of February 13, monitoring of 82% of cold storage warehouses showed 4,454.09 metric tons (MT) of red onions and 5,271.15 MT of yellow onions, nearly all imported.
At current warehouse prices, red onion stocks are projected to last until February 19, while yellow onions may last until March 15.
The DA noted that about 8,000 MT of red onions covered by sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances must arrive before harvest peaks. Even if all shipments arrive this month, stocks would only last until March 6, coinciding with the start of peak local harvest.
Local red onion production from January to March is estimated at 9,325.14 MT, just 18% of the 52,034.4 MT demand. Yellow onion supply is even lower, projected at 1,645.25 MT for the quarter.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel stressed that imports are not overwhelming the market.
“The numbers show that current stocks from imports are not overwhelming the market but merely plugging a supply gap,” he said, adding that the DA is reviewing why onion prices are falling despite limited supply.
The agency emphasized that imports are intended to stabilize supply until local harvests come in.