DA freezes fertilizer stocks over quality concerns

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the suspension of fertilizer distribution from five suppliers following complaints over product quality.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the department has launched an investigation into the concerned firms, which hold government contracts.

The DA, together with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, will review the products to determine whether they meet government standards.

“We agreed to pay the price they bid, yet they delivered substandard products. That is highway robbery, and we will not allow it. They have no shame,” Tiu Laurel said.

Under the directive, all fertilizer stocks from the flagged suppliers are frozen until cleared by the Office of the Secretary.

“All DA personnel must report pending deliveries, ongoing transactions, and related documentation to facilitate a comprehensive assessment,” the department said in a statement.

While the DA did not specify the exact nature of the complaints, the move signals a tougher stance on supplier accountability and input quality—a long-standing concern among farmers relying on government-supported fertilizer programs to manage rising production costs, the department added.

— Vince Angelo Ferreras