Orders for the importation of white onion will likely be issued within this month as part of the government’s efforts to ensure there’s ample supply in the market, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday.

In an interview with journalists, DA Assistant Secretary Rex Estoperez said they are currently in talks with stakeholders to finalize the exact figure, but noted that the initial volume will be 8,800 metric tons.

“These are ballpark figures. The consumption is around 4,400 metric tons [per month] so if [we import good for] two months, that’s 8,800 metric tons. That’s what we are looking at now,” he said.

Estoperez explained that the majority of the initial volume that will be imported will be allotted to institutional buyers.

Data from DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance (AMAS) price monitoring showed that the retail price of white onion in the National Capital Region (NCR) is currently at PHP160 to PHP200 per kilogram (kg), significantly higher than the PHP90 to P150/kg recorded in April.

Estoperez said DA is doubling its efforts to make sure that prices of onion will not go back to an all-time high of PHP600 to PHP700/kg.

“One of the drivers of inflation is the price of onion, therefore, we cannot sacrifice that it will go back to steep prices. We are considering all measures to bring down prices,” he said.

Aside from white onion, Estoperez said they are also studying whether there is a need to import red onion.

He said the government will also coordinate with managers of cold storage to oblige them to release their stocks.

“We are considering all strategies to compel them to sell their onion. Let’s see if they will cooperate,” he added. (PNA)