Philippines: Temporary Onion Import Plan Expected to Fail

In a yet unpublished memo, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) re-authorized the issuances of sanitary and phytosanitary import permits for up to 21,060 metric tons (MT) of fresh yellow and red onions in a reported effort to stabilize retail prices of fresh onions, which have reached P700 ($12.70) per kilogram. However, the extreme conditions attached to the unscheduled quota all but guarantee that it will not be filled and likely will not come close to filling. For the trade that does flow, the government's conditions greatly favor Chinese supplies despite China not being importers' favored supplier.