Tomato prices have surged in parts of Luzon even as reports of unsold and spoiled produce in Nueva Vizcaya raised concerns over supply and market conditions, agriculture officials said.

Photos circulating online showed piles of tomatoes being cleared at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Trading Center, with some already overripe and unfit for sale.

The Department of Agriculture Region 2 denied that the incident reflected a widespread oversupply, saying the tomatoes seen were already spoiled or near spoilage.

Authorities said usable tomatoes were distributed to residents, while those no longer fit for consumption were turned into fertilizer as part of regular clearing operations ahead of new deliveries.

Roberto Busania, technical director of the agency, said the government is looking at ways to support farmers, especially in logistics.

“Ang ating mungkahi kung halimbawa man na ‘yan ay nagkaroon na ng konting, sabihin natin na hindi naibigay yung tamang presyo o hindi nabili ng tamang presyo ay ang ating Department of Agriculture naman ay tumutulong lalong lalo na sa logistics kaya ang tinitingnan namin ngayon ay kung paano tayo makatulong sa mga magsasaka,” Busania said.

Despite stable supply in some markets in the Ilocos Region, prices have started to climb sharply this April.

From P10 to P20 per kilo in March, tomatoes are now being sold at P30 to P40 per kilo in some areas.

Vendor Sarah Saringan said the increase followed higher buying prices.

“Dati ang bentahan nila sa Urdaneta mga P12 kaya ang benta namin P20, tapos ngayon P22 na, kaya ginawa na nilang P40,” she said.

Some consumers like Imelda Rosario have begun buying in bulk in anticipation of further increases.

“Bumili na rin ako noong isang araw ng P40 ba kamatis kasi ang sabi nila baka tataas pa yung kamatis,” Rosario said.

Rosendo So, chairperson of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, warned that unstable prices could discourage farmers from planting.

“Madi-discourage na naman na magtanim [ng kamatis] ‘yung iba. Hopefully, ma-sustain lang ‘yung presyo sana ng farm gate ng P15 to P20, okay na ‘yun,” he said.

Agriculture officials said they continue to monitor supply and pricing trends to prevent further market disruptions.