Filipino farmers are urging the government for support as increased vegetable imports drive down local produce prices, significantly affecting their income.
In a report on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS), farmers expressed frustration over plummeting prices of onions and tomatoes, especially in Nueva Ecija, the Onion Capital of the Philippines.
Onion Farmers Hit by Low Prices
Marife, a farmer from Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, shared how her daily income has dropped from ₱1,000 to just ₱300 due to imported onions flooding the market. Some farmers reported losses as imported onions were approved during peak harvest season, causing farmgate prices to fall from ₱80–₱110 per kilo to just ₱30–₱33.
Geron, another onion farmer, said he invested ₱700,000 in his crops but expects only ₱500,000 in returns, blaming the “bad timing” of imports.
📢 “Farmers are the backbone of the economy. We need support, not competition from imports,” he stressed.
Tomato Farmers Also Suffer Losses
After Typhoon Pepito damaged onion crops, many farmers shifted to tomato farming—only to face oversupply issues. Richard, a former seaman-turned-farmer, invested ₱200,000 in tomato farming, but prices crashed from ₱160 to just ₱4 per kilo, forcing farmers to discard unsold produce.
Calls for Government Action
The Department of Agriculture (DA) defended the importation, stating it was meant to fill supply gaps and should have been approved earlier in December. However, farmers insist that imports should not coincide with local harvests.
To help, organizations like Rural Rising Philippines launched “Rescue Buy”, purchasing produce at fair prices and distributing them to communities in need.
Farmers and advocates are now urging better timing for imports, market linkages, and food processing support to prevent future losses.