The prices of tomato at the Mangaldan Public Market in Pangasinan have dropped sharply, easing costs for shoppers as farmers harvest more produce earlier than expected, traders and industry officials said.

From about P240 per kilo in January 2026, tomatoes are now selling for as low as P20 per kilo, driven by oversupply in the market. Shoppers said the price drop has made basic food items more affordable.

“Malaking tulong po sa amin kasi dati ang taas-taas po. Ngayon, okay naman na po ’yung mga bilihin,” Regina Celeste, a market shopper, said.

Vendors said tomato supply has increased as more farming areas harvested at the same time.

“Ngayon bumaba, konti na kasi marami nang tanim, barrio-barrio. Lalo na sa susunod na buwan, bababa pa,” Francisca Nate, a tomato vendor, said.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said the price drop was expected as February marks the peak harvest period for lowland vegetables, including tomatoes.

“’Yung expected harvest is February, so expected na ’yung lowland vegetable is mag-stabilize ’yung price,” SINAG chairman Rosendo So said.

Prices could fall further in the coming weeks, possibly to as low as 10 to 8 pesos per kilo, as more farmers complete their harvests, SINAG said.

“Sabi natin na mga 45 days from last December, so aani na ’yung mga magsasaka. So, expected na sabay-sabay ’yung pag-ani,” So added.

Industry groups said prices may stabilize once supply levels off, but warned that prolonged oversupply could affect farmers’ earnings.