The Department of Agriculture (DA) has increased the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of red onions to P150 per kilo from P120, effective December 11, citing higher import costs and a weaker peso.
The MSRP for white (yellow) onions will remain at P120 per kilo, with the DA saying supply remains stable and the current cap still gives retailers reasonable margins.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said global suppliers—including China, Holland and India—have raised export prices, pushing local market prices higher. He urged traders to follow the updated price ceiling as demand is expected to rise during the holiday season.
Tiu Laurel also stressed the need to diversify onion sources, noting that the Philippines relies heavily on China. He said the government is exploring alternative suppliers to strengthen the supply chain.
All onion imports will be halted by January, ahead of the local harvest in February, to avoid dragging down farmgate prices and to support Filipino growers.
The DA said the revised MSRP, together with broader sourcing efforts and tighter import controls, aims to stabilize prices in the coming months. As of December 10, the DA’s market monitoring showed retail prices at P300/kg for local red onions, P200/kg for imported medium red onions, and P140/kg for imported medium white onions.
