Yellow onion imports starting to arrive in PHL

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said imports of yellow onion have started to arrive in response to local shortages.

“We have issued the import permits. From what I understand, 2,000 metric tons (MT) have already arrived,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters late Monday.

Last month, the DA said it will allow yellow onion imports of up to 16,000 MT until the end of the year.

In July, Mr. Laurel extended the import ban on red onion until the end of August, with supply deemed sufficient until February 2025.

He said however that the supply of domestic yellow onion is sufficient only until the end of August.

Separately, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Foods Corp., said that it is seeking to increase its onion purchases from domestic farmers.

The company is expecting to increase the share of domestic onion purchases to 33% from 24% last year.

JGF President Gisela H. Tiongson said improved weather conditions have raised the yields of its partner farmers.

“Last year has been very good and we’re very thankful for that, expanding not only in terms of the number of farmers but also increasing the yield of their farms,” Ms. Tiongson added.

The national inventory of yellow onion was 1,642 MT as of Aug. 9, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry. Red onion stocks, on the other hand, were at 99,512 MT. — Adrian H. Halili