Marcos says red onion imports threaten March local harvests

Senator Imee Marcos over the weekend cautioned the Department of Agriculture on the possible oversupply of red onions given the scheduled importation of 35,00 metric tons ahead of the local harvest season in March.

In a statement, Marcos noted that red onions could end up rotting in government warehouses without bringing down prices, as local farmers are set to harvest in the next two months.

"Baka bumaha ng imported na sibuyas, at pagkatapos matetengga na naman ang mga aanihing lokal na sibuyas sa Marso," she said.

"Tapos anong mangyayari? Ibebenta na lamang nang palugi ang mga lokal na sibuyas natin gaya sa nangyari sa lokal na palay sa bansa, na ikalulugi na naman ng ating mga maliliit na magsasaka," she added.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar last week said the Philippines plans to import 35,000 metric tons (MT) of red onions until med-February, to make up for a production gap equivalent to two months.

"These red onions can only be brought in up until mid-February so that it will not be in competition with the main harvest time starting March," Dar said on Friday. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News