SINAG: No agri products price hikes expected after Crising, Habagat

Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Sunday said it is not expecting an increase in prices of agricultural products following the onslaught of Tropical Storm Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

SINAG executive director Jayson Cainglet said they are seeing “no basis” for the possible uptick in prices, explaining that farmers are currently in preparation for the farming season. 

“Karamihan ng sakahan natin ay nasa paghahanda pa lang ng pagtatanim. Nakaani na at yung mga nakapagtanim ay medyo bago pa lang kaya kung sakali na ma-damage, madali pa siyang palitan,” Cainglet told Super Radyo dzBB. 

(Most farmers are currently still preparing for the planting season. They have already harvested and any planting they have done is still new so in case of damage, they can be replaced.)

“Kaya sa presyuhan wala tayong inaasahang pagtaas,” he said.

(We are not expecting any uptick in prices.)

Typhoon Crising and Habagat wrought havoc over parts of the country last week, causing heavy rains and widespread flooding in several areas in the country. It exited the country’s responsibility on Saturday, July 19. 

Initial reports from the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the heavy rains caused agricultural damage of around P53 million  across Regions VI and IV-B. It also affected around 2,099 farmers.

“Usually ang nangyayari dahil sa hirap pagbyahe…Sana makipag-coordinate ang LGUs sa byahero at traders para maiwasan ang unneccessary na pagtaas. ‘Yu ang sinasabi natin, wala naman talaga dapat basis para di naman masyado mahirapan ang ating mga mamimili,” said Cainglet. 

(The increase is usually due to difficulty in logistics. We hope the LGUs will coordinate with the traders to prevent unnecessary uptick in prices. We are seeing no basis for that.)

The DA has since directed its agencies to prepare and extend assistance to the affected farmers and fisherfolks. It also said the National Food Authority has started the release of rice stocks to local government units and national agencies as part of the ongoing disaster response. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News