The Department of Agriculture (DA)  said it might consider “regulated” importation amid renewed spike in the prices of onions recently.

DA Deputy Spokesperson Rex Estoperez said the import volume might be at 22,000 metric tons for red and white onions or equivalent to a month-long consumption volume.

DA is working on how to lower the prices  of onions and might import but on a regulated basis.

Estoperez noted that the farmgate price of onions is now at PHP120 per kilo as the country approached the off-season.

He, however, insisted that the DA wanted to intensify its coordination with the local government units (LGUs) amid reports of price manipulation by unscrupulous traders.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) earlier called on traders for the “overpriced” onions, noting that they originally got it at only around PHP60 per kilo farmgate price during the harvest season.

Estoperez also said the department continues to discuss with legislators to explore both short- and long-term solutions. And asking some congressmen in the house to addressed  anti-smuggling.

The DA said the country still has 117,000 metric tons of onion inventory in cold storage which may last for months. (PNA)