The Philippines will import 16,000 metric tons of white onions.
DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed on Wednesday, August 28, that he gave the green light for the Bureau of Plant Industry to import yellow onions in order to ensure that prices remain stable.
"Inaprubahan ko na noong Lunes iyong pag-i-import ng white or yellow onion dahil ang stocks natin sa bansa ay depleted," Laurel told reporters.
The DA chief said that the BPI will issue sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) by batches every two weeks.
Laurel targets to complete the importation by December since the next harvest season for onions will begin on January 2025 in the Philippines.
"Dapat maparating iyon by end of December para hindi maapektuhan iyong ating mga farmers sa harvest season nila. I think by end of this week or early next week, papasok na yun in limited quantity," Laurel assured.
Meanwhile, Laurel assured that the Philippines has enough supply of red onions, which can last until March 2025.
