DA chief OKs importation of white onion; total volume 16,000 metric tons until yearend

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said he has approved the importation of white onion in limited quantity to replenish domestic supply and ensure stable price of the vegetable.

The DA chief said the total import volume will be limited to 16,000 metric tons whose arrival will be spread over for the last four months of the year. He said the first batch of these imported onions should start arriving within the next few days.

“We will do this by batches, in limited quantity so as not to affect existing stocks of red onions as well. We will issue permits every two weeks,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.

He said the additional supply of white or yellow onion should arrive in the country before the end of the year to prevent the importation from impacting local onion farmers’ output early next year.

Unlike red onion that is abundantly produced in the country, local production of white or yellow onion is limited.

In fact, Sec. Tiu Laurel said the current supply of red onion is enough until March next year. ###