The Department of Agriculture (DA) begins enforcing a ₱120-per-kilo suggested retail price for red and white onions tomorrow, December 1, to cool sharp price increases ahead of the Christmas season.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said delayed imports have tightened supply but do not justify retail prices soaring to as high as ₱300 per kilo—almost triple what officials consider reasonable. He warned that current levels suggest profiteering.
Imported onions land at about ₱60 per kilo, and the DA says the ₱120 cap still allows fair profit margins for importers, transporters, and retailers.
AMAS director Junibert De Sagun said retailers generally accepted the cap during consultations, provided they receive supply at roughly ₱90 per kilo and that the ceiling takes effect once new shipments arrive. Food Terminal Inc. has committed to supplying imported onions at that price, with deliveries expected in two weeks.
Stakeholders also called for closer monitoring of import volumes to prevent market manipulation and avoid harming local farmers, who are facing reduced planting and typhoon-related losses. Officials said any cap on locally produced onions will be reviewed if farmgate prices rise.
The DA said the price ceiling is intended to stabilize the market through the holidays—protecting consumers from sudden spikes while ensuring farmers and retailers are treated fairly.
