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DA exec, farmers trade barbs over onion mess
By Nidz Godino
"At that time, it was mentioned that there are no stocks of white onions and there is need to import, in projection of BPI, there is a need to import around 15,000 metric tons of white onions…onion farmers requested to cut it down to 7,500 metric tons and if there is a need to import more, it can be discussed later, meaning farmers agreed to import but it should be half of proposed volume," Agriculture Deputy Spokesman Rex Estoperez and farmers' group leader traded barbs over onion mess included importation of more than 20,000 metric tons of bulbs.
Estoperez said DA should not take all blame, saying stakeholders were consulted prior to decision to import 21,060 metric tons of onions.
Farmers' group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) President Rosendo So, who was also invited, maintained during meeting with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. with officials of DA and various agriculture stakeholders in October 2022, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) recommended at least 15,0000 metric tons of white onions should be imported to address lacking in the supply.
So said importation did not materialize, causing institutional buyers like restaurants and fast food to shift to red onions.
"During our meeting last December 26 ,2022, we asked Department of Agriculture on reason why importation did not push through, a trader spoke and said they suggested not to proceed with importation. ..why did DA listen to traders…it was traders who benefited from high prices of onions," So stressed.
So claimed SINAG recommended anew to DA importation of onions in November and December but it was again rejected.
"We even warned retail prices of onions will reach P500 per kilo if importation is not done and it happened in December," he noted.
For his part, Estoperez defended decision not to import bulbs in December amid proliferation of smuggled onions.
"We did not agree to import as at first there were many confiscated smuggled onions at that time and if we issued permit to import, smuggled onions were still at the hands of unscrupulous traders," Estoperez added.
Estoperez noted it was farmers' groups who recommended imposition of P250 suggested retail price (SRP) but did not help bring down cost of bulbs in markets.
"During our meeting, and it was on record, they suggested P250 SRP to help farmers with high cost of production but by January 7, prices of onions were not going down," Estoperez concluded.
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