The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the subsequent typhoons last year caused a reduction in the harvest of agricultural crops, including tomatoes, driving their prices higher in markets at present.

This comes as some consumers express concerns about tomatoes being sold at P30 per piece in some local markets.

“Because of the series of typhoons last year, [they] caused extensive damage to the crops in their vegetative and reproductive states, particularly in regions or areas producing these solanaceous family crops, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, and chili peppers,” DA spokesperson Asec. Arnel V. de Mesa said in a media briefing on Monday.

According to him, the affected areas include Cagayan Valley, the Bicol Region, and Calabarzon, which resulted in significant supply shortages not only of tomatoes but also bell peppers and chili peppers (siling labuyo).

He added that there was a significant reduction in tomato production by 45 percent going into the fourth quarter of last year.

However, he said prices of tomatoes may be expected to lower by the end of January or early February as the harvest season begins.

Based on the latest data from DA’s Bantay Presyo, tomatoes in major wet markets in Metro Manila range from P180 to P310 per kilo. Meanwhile, bell peppers and chili peppers are priced between P180 and P800 per kilo and P240 and P950 per kilo, respectively.