DA: Vegetable prices up by P10-P20 amid Karding farm damage

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said retail prices of various vegetable produce increased amid the devastation brought by Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) on farm lands.

In an interview on Dobol B TV, DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said the agency observed spikes in the prices of some vegetables in Metro Manila markets.

“Dito sa NCR (National Capital Region), nasa P10 hanggang P20 ang paggalaw sa presyo,” Evangelista said.

(Here, in NCR, the price movement is around P10 to P20.)

Based on the DA’s price monitoring as of September 29, the price of Baguio beans increased to P120 per kilo from P100 per kilo the previous day, the price of carrot went up to P150 per kilo from P140 per kilo, while eggplant’s rose to P100 per kilo from P85 per kilo.

High-value crops — fruits, vegetables, legumes, and spices — is the second most damaged crop group following Karding’s onslaught, with total value loss of P754.8 million and volume of crops destroyed at 18,536 MT across 2,964 hectares of farm lands.

The total damage to the farm sector amounted to P2.95 billion as of Friday morning.

Evangelista, however, said the DA will look into the possibility of profiteering or if there are some who are taking advantage of the devastation to jack up prices.

“Masyadong malaki ang tinaas eh (The increases in prices were too high),” she said.

“We need the help of the LGUs para ma-control ang presyo... Palalakasin din natin ang Kadiwa para may alternative ang mga consumer,” she added.

(We need the help of LGUs to control prices… We will also strengthen our Kadiwa program so that consumers will have an alternative.)

Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said consumers should brace for higher rice and vegetable prices, which may increase by 15% to 20%, as crops lands were flattened by Karding.

Karding left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, affecting several areas in Luzon. —KG, GMA News