Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. has ordered a temporary halt to onion imports until May–possibly extending the suspension through July– if domestic harvest of the high value crop remains sufficient to meet local demand.
The agri chief issued the policy pronouncement to prevent further depressing onion prices due to supply glut.
Secretary Tiu Laurel on Thursday met representatives of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. to discuss the surge in domestic supply of onion due to fresh harvest and arrival of additional supply imported in December.