The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday imposed a P125 per kilo suggested retail price (SRA) for the price of imported red onions, which will take effect on February 8, 2023, Wednesday.
DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said that the SRP was what was agreed upon during their stakeholders meeting.
It was attended by importers, traders, and retailers.
“Doon po napagkasunduan na i-re-rekomenda ang P125 per kilo for red onions na imported. Ito naman po ay inabprubahan na,” Evangelista said.
“Aside from that, we also are linking retailers to wholesalers of imported red onions to inform them of the cost structure we made so that they will be well-guided, for them to be able to negotiate with their suppliers. At the same time, we have identified some suppliers who are willing to sell wholesale to retailers in compliance with the SRP,” she added.
According to Evangelista, they considered in coming up with the P125 SRP for imported red onions, the importer’s price, and the expenses after landed cost estimated at P77 and wholesaler’s price.
“Nakipag-usap po tayo do’n sa mga wholesaler sa Divisoria…so ina-average na lang po natin ‘yan…With that we came up with a price na P125 at ito naman po ay sinang ayunan ng ating mga retailers,” she said.
“Right now, we are looking at NCR, kasi po yong mga identified nating wholesaler ay nandito po sa NCR. We will be talking also to our regional field offices kung pareho rin po ang approach,” she added.
Evangelista said that the policy will be in effect starting Wednesday this week to give more time both for the government and the stakeholders to be informed of the said SRP.
She added that they will ask the assistance of the Department and the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Price Coordinating Council in the information dissemination and monitoring.
CurrentPH News Service
