DA considers price ceiling on imported garlic
Metro Manila, Philippines - The government is considering imposing an effective price cap on imported garlic to bring down prices, a Cabinet official said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the possible maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) after a joint market inspection with the Department of Trade and Industry in Quezon City on Monday, March 31.
He said imported garlic should be sold at P100 per kilogram to P110/kg. In Metro Manila, the price range for the commodity was P130/kg to P200/kg, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) price monitoring.
“Pinag-aaralan ngayon ng DA kung paano ma-address ‘yan at mas mapababa pa ‘yung presyo niyan [The DA is now studying how to address the price of imported garlic and reduce it],” the agriculture secretary said.
Laurel said retailer profit on imported garlic might already be “fair” and it will next check the margins of importers.
“Baka ang margin nila nasa [Their margins might be at] P40, P50 per kilo, I think that’s too much,” Laurel said.
“Kung ayaw nila sumunod, gagawin talaga natin,” he said on the possibility of imposing an MSRP.
[Translation: If they will not follow, then we will impose an MSRP.]
When asked for a timeline on the garlic price ceiling, Laurel said it might be “before June.”
Local production
Laurel said the market price of imported garlic would be easily controlled as foreign supply covers around 95% of the requirement.
Local produce has a small market share as the variety is small, with certain growing requirements.
“Hindi naman tayo sumu-surrender diyan, at may programa ang DA para mapalaki pa ang production ng local garlic natin; but, of course, ‘yung area specific ‘yan eh, hindi ka basta-basta magtanim kahit saan eh,” he said.
[Translation: We are not surrendering and the DA has a program to expand our local garlic production; but, of course, it’s area specific. You cannot just plant it anywhere.]
Laurel said the DA is studying to adapt South Korean technology in garlic production yielding 12 to 15 tons per hectare, compared to up to two tons locally.
