Name: Jamie Shane Abad

Course & Sec: PSC31

Subject: Political Economy
Professor: Sir. Jumel G. Estrañero
University: De La Salle University-Dasmariñas

Out of control price hike in onion in the Philippines

The Southeast Asian nation's traditional cuisine regularly employs onion and garlic as
the base for many of its dishes. On average, the nation consumes 17,000 metric tons of
the vegetable per month. In order to increase falling local supply and reduce rising
costs, the Philippines' agriculture officials said that the nation will have to import around
22,000 tons of onions by March. Despite last year's warnings, the business community
holds the agriculture department accountable for its inability to estimate supply properly.
Agriculture officials issued a warning about anticipated shortages of onion and garlic as
early as August, when the local red onion variety could only be purchased for up to 140
pesos. The department previously stated the government was considering importing
7,000 metric tons of red onions to stop the spike in the cost of the commodity. The DA's
decision to "curb imports" in the latter half of 2022, together with the claimed price
manipulation by merchants "who took advantage of the supply crisis," worsened the
supply gap and the escalating costs of onion.