DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) head for consumer affairs Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista announced on Monday, February 6, 2023, the approval of the P125 per kilo suggested retail price (SRP) for imported red onions.

In an interview with reporters, Evangelista said the SRP, which was agreed upon following a stakeholder meeting that was attended by traders, importers and retailers, will take effect on Wednesday, February 8.

“Aside from that, we also are linking retailers to wholesalers of imported red onions to inform them of the cost structure we made so that they will be well-guided for them to be able to negotiate with their suppliers. At the same time, we have identified some suppliers who are willing to sell wholesale to retailers in compliance with the SRP,” she said.

“Right now, we are looking at NCR (Nation Captial Region), kasi po yong mga identified nating wholesaler ay nandito po sa NCR. We will be talking also to our regional field offices kung pareho rin po ang approach,” Evangelista added.

Evangelista said among the factors considered in setting the SRP of the imported red onions were the importers’ price including expenses after landed cost, which is around P77, and wholesaler’s price.

She said they are currently in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Local Price Coordinating Council for the information dissemination regarding the imported red onions’ SRP as well as to ensure that it is being followed.

For locally produced onions, Evangelista said the DA has yet to come up with an SRP.

In January, the agency, headed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., approved the importation of over 21 metric tons of yellow and red onions due to low supply, which brought its price as high as P720 per kilogram. (SunStar Philippines)