THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured the public that the government is taking steps to ensure stable prices on basic commodities in the advent of the Christmas, an Agriculture official said.
According to Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, the close monitoring of basic goods such as onion, garlic, and potatoes in various markets in Metro Manila maintained stable prices.
“According to our records of the average prices in September and October this year 2023, the prices range from P140 to P142 for local red onion, P125 to P130 for local white onion, P120 to P125 for imported white onion, P125 to P140, P140 for imported garlic and P500 for local garlic, respectively,” De Mesa reported.
The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service conducted daily monitoring of prices in Commonwealth, Guadalupe, Las Piñas, Marikina, Mega Q-mart, Muñoz, Pasay, Pasig, Quinta, San Andres, Muntinlupa and Pritil markets.
However, De Mesa noted an increase in the price of potatoes, which he attributed to the typhoons that hit the country in July and August.
The average price of potatoes now ranges from P200 to P220 per kilogram, up from P160 to P 180 per kilogram in September.
De Mesa assured consumers that the DA is working to address the situation and expects the price of potatoes to normalize soon.
He said that the peak of the potato harvest is expected in the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, which will help to increase supply and bring down prices.
“The peak of harvest within the last quarter this year up to the first quarter of next year-2024 will make a positive impact on the supply and prices of potatoes.”
The DA has been implementing various programs and initiatives to help farmers and consumers, such as the provision of seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs, as well as the establishment of Kadiwa stores that sell affordable basic goods.
DA also urged consumers to report any instances of price gouging or hoarding to the nearest DA office or to the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry.