The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Monday said that the gap between the farmgate and retail prices must be of concern due to its size.
SINAG president Rosendo So said in a teleradyo interview that the farmgate process has already decreased amid the harvest season.
So said that there would really be a problem between wholesale and retail if the farmers' prices had a huge gap in selling white onions to retail.
"Kung ang magsasaka ay nagbebenta ng PHP45 to PHP50 na puti, tas 'yung retail nasa PHP140, e may problema talaga 'yung wholesale tsaka retail," he noted.
The farmgate price of white onions in Nueva Ecija province is PHP 70 per kilogram, while red onions are PHP 70 per kilogram.
Given the farmers' low farmgate price, a PHP80 retail price per kilogram of onions may be feasible by March if the price gap is closed.
He emphasized the importance of the Department of Agriculture's suggested retail price (SRP) (DA).
Earlier this month, the DA raised the SRP for imported medium- to large-sized red onions in the National Capital Region to PHP125/kg.
The DA also emphasized the importance of increasing coordination with local market masters to ensure adherence to the SRP.
To date, retail prices for local red onions range from PHP 140/kg to PHP 250/kg, while prices for local white onions range from PHP 90/kg to PHP 160/kg.
Imported big red and white onions are priced at PHP135/kg to PHP160/kg, and medium-sized imported white onions are priced at PHP200/kg.
