DA-III: ‘Cold Storage Facilities Boost Onion Production’
In recent memory, many Filipinos have been left dismayed by the exorbitant prices of onions, particularly during the period from late 2022 through January 2023. At its peak, the price of onions skyrocketed to over 700 pesos per kilogram, resembling the value of gold in the eyes of consumers.
Presently, the price remains steep, exceeding 100 pesos per kilogram for red onions and over 90 pesos for white onions.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 3, efforts are ongoing to bolster onion production in the region. Central Luzon, in particular, led national onion production in 2023 by yielding over 138 thousand metric tons. This accounted for more than half of the country's total production, marking a 5% increase from the previous year's output of 131 thousand metric tons.
DA Region 3 further explained that the first quarter of 2024 saw an even greater harvest due to expanded cultivation areas dedicated to onions in the region. The establishment of cold storage facilities has also proven instrumental in supporting this endeavor.
Dr. Dionisio Alvindia, Director of PHILMECH-III, highlighted the significance of such facilities for farmers, enhancing their confidence in preserving and transporting their produce. He noted ongoing constructions under the Philippine Rural Development Project and High Value Crops program aimed at further developing these crucial storage infrastructures.
Dr. Eduardo Lapuz Jr., Director of DA-III, emphasized the future impact of these projects, indicating that they are expected to accommodate more than 200,000 bags but acknowledging the current shortfall. However, he expressed optimism that these initiatives would significantly boost future yields and inspire farmers to expand their production capacities.
"As of now, the number of onion cold storage facilities across Central Luzon is set to increase," said Dr. Eduardo Lapuz Jr., "promising to stabilize prices and ensure better market availability in the foreseeable future."
