Farmers’ group urges firmer onion importation
We hope that if the government imports, the white onion will be sold at P80. There is red at least P50 to P140 lower.
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Daily TribuneWe hope that if the government imports, the white onion will be sold at P80. There is red at least P50 to P140 lower.
Share
The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura on Saturday called on the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture to enact more robust procedures to monitor the entry of imported agricultural products into the nation.
SINAG made the call after the authorities recently seized white onions purportedly brought into the country illegally for P3.9 million in Divisoria, Manila.
"The problem is that officials did not file charges against some smugglers for the past year," Rosendo So, SINAG's president, and chairman, said in a radio interview.
In addition, the SINAG head also asked the government to file appropriate charges against smugglers and brokers who participated in smuggling activities. He stated that some importers falsely declare their goods to smuggle agricultural items into the country.
Authorities seized only 10 percent of the illegally imported onions, he continued.
"These smuggled onions are small compared to the total amount of smuggled onions that entered the country," So said.
Last weekend, the DA warned the public not to buy onions from online retailers because these items might have been brought into the country illegally.
Importation urged
In a separate television interview, SINAG encouraged the government to purchase onions from overseas to stabilize the market's supply and stop the ongoing growth in the vegetable's price.
So's group proposed importing at least 2,500 metric tons of red and 3,500 metric tons of white onions.
"We hope that if the government imports, the white onion will be sold at P80. There is red at least P50 to P140 lower," So said.
According to Department of Agriculture data, red onions are selling for P280 per kilo in Metro Manila marketplaces.
Consumers may purchase onions at the Kadiwa market for P170 per kg. The government-run stores, however, only have a small selection of items and a few branches.
