BENGUET Farmers Marketing Cooperative (BFMC) General Manager Agusta Balanoy said Tropical Storm Odette did not affect vegetable supply in the province.
Balanoy said the most affected are those in the higher farms, “Not necessarily heavy damage. It did not affect any of the supply, it is normal as per report of the members.”
Over the weekend the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post recorded a P2-5 peso price increase for basic produce like carrots, wombok, cabbage and potatoes and by the start of the week, slow sales were noted with prices stabilizing after.
The peak season of vegetable trading starts from September with its highpoint at the month of December, regular volume of vegetable doubles to meet the demand.
A survey conducted showed a lot of farmers who planted carrots this season, for the ongoing preparation for the peak season of vegetable trading on December the BFMC is appealing to the Bureau of Customs to monitor entry of smuggled goods.
“At the moment mahal kasi ang carrots ngayon madaming imported na smuggled carrots sa divisoria ngayon,” Balanoy said.
The smuggled carrots are said to be from China, last December prices of produce dropped due to the smuggled vegetables.
“Kaya buyers here are in control when it comes volume of purchase but we cannot totally blame them kasi mahal ang carrots. I hope they will monitor the customs kaasi dagiti farmers ditoy nu handa mabantayan this December,” Balanoy said.
The BFMC is asking the local government to work on handling traffic with the private sector, stakeholders of the vegetable industry, and the league of associations.
“Kasi dadami iyong vegetables, dadami ang buyers, magkakaproblema na naman sa kalsada, we will be requesting to sit with them to fix the queuing and we hope that they (the LGU and local Philippine National Police) will also involve us,” added Balanoy.