Senator Imee Marcos described as “senseless” the decision of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to allow the importation of 4,000 metric tons (MT) of onions during the harvest season.
“Harvest season has begun, yet here we go again with another round of imports! Haven’t we learned our lesson?” Marcos chided the DA.
“Prices drop during harvest time! Why bring in imports now when we know this would mean losses for our farmers?”
The DA allowed the shipment of 3,000 MT of red onions and 1,000 MT of white onions, which are set to arrive next week, to “ensure we have sufficient buffer stocks while we await the fresh harvest.”
Marcos also slammed the DA for its lack of action against hoarders manipulating onion prices in the country.
“We keep importing, but what’s being done about those stockpiling onions in cold storage? Even if we have enough supply, prices will still skyrocket if hoarders are in control!” she said.IMT
