News Details

DA Projects Onion Prices to Drop Soon as Holiday Supply Arrivals Boost Market Stability

NPO

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November 22, 2025

MANILA — Retail onion prices are expected to ease in the coming days, providing relief to consumers ahead of the holiday season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured on Thursday.

In a press briefing, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said that incoming shipments of imported onions will help replenish thinning stocks in local markets.

“Enough ‘yung volume na parating until the end of the year to cover our requirements, especially pagpasok ng holiday season,” De Mesa reported. He added that the prevailing high prices are expected to gradually decline to PHP120 to PHP150 per kilogram.

This comes as retail prices of red onions recently surged to as high as PHP300 per kilogram in the National Capital Region (NCR). Based on DA-Bantay Presyo monitoring as of Nov. 18, imported red onions in Metro Manila ranged from PHP220 to PHP300, while local varieties ranged from PHP230 to PHP300 per kilogram.

De Mesa assured consumers that prices will not return to the PHP700 per kilogram levels experienced in previous years, citing the government’s “timely approval” of onion importation.

To manage supply, the DA has authorized the importation of 59,594 metric tons (MT) of red onions through 1,045 approved sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) valid until the end of December. As of Nov. 13, 11,371 MT of red onions have already arrived.

For white or yellow onions, 23,596 MT out of the expected 37,819 MT have reached the country, keeping their retail prices relatively low at PHP90 to PHP180 per kilogram.

The DA remains confident that the strategic import schedules will stabilize supply and bring down prices as the holiday demand peaks.

NPO News Team | PNA–PR