The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to impose a separate maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported red onions as prices remain high, according to DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Speaking to reporters in Quezon City on Thursday, Tiu Laurel said imported red onions should not be sold above ₱120 per kilo, and ideally within ₱100–₱110. The commodity sells for ₱140 per kilo at present.
“It means someone is taking advantage, and I suspect it’s the retailers,” Tiu Laurel said, adding that the price cap could take effect next week.
The DA is also preparing to reimplement the MSRP for pork, which was suspended in May due to low compliance among retailers and traders. The move aims to help local hog farmers suffering from low farm gate prices.
Before its suspension, the pork MSRP was set at ₱380 per kilo for liempo and ₱350 for kasim and pigue.
DA monitoring showed imported red onions in Metro Manila markets selling for ₱90–₱160 per kilo, while pork prices ranged from ₱280–₱450 per kilo depending on the cut and whether it was fresh or frozen.
