The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported a gradual decline in tomato prices in the market after a sharp increase at the start of the new year.
Based on previous price monitoring by the DA, tomato prices in select markets in the National Capital Region (NCR) surged to as much as P200 to P300 per kilogram.
The agency's current monitoring indicates that tomato prices have decreased, now ranging from P100 to P230 per kilogram in several markets in Metro Manila.
"Actually malaki na ang ibinaba ang presyo ng kamatis, unang linggo nasa P280 - P300, ngayon nasa P120 - P150 ang presyuhan halos mangalahati na," DA Asec. Arnel De Mesa said in an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday.
For instance, at the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, the public can purchase tomatoes at prices ranging from P100 to P150 per kilogram.
The DA earlier explained that the series of typhoons in the final quarter of 2024 caused significant disruptions in tomato production.
"Nitong huling bahagi ng 2024 sobrang dami ng bagyo na dumaan saatin, naapektuhan ang traditional na taniman ng kamatis," said De Mesa.
"Bumaba by 45% ang production ng kamatis nitong 4th quarter kaya naapektuhan ang supply," he added.
Meanwhile, the price of tomatoes may continue to drop towards the end of January or early February, coinciding with the expected harvest from large suppliers.
