MANILA — Tomatoes in wet markets in Metro Manila have doubled in price due to supply issues.

From just P60 to P80 per kilo in previous months, prices have climbed to around P150 per kilo.

Suppliers told retailers at Commonwealth Market that supplies are currently low in Nueva Vizcaya, which is a major tomato-growing province.

"Hindi po siya yung taas-baba, talaga pong dumeretso siya pataas. Everyday po sya tumataas, kaya ang sinasabi nila, wow grabe ang mahal," said Rowena Tumabiene, a vegetable retailer in Commonwealth Market.

(The price is not fluctuating. It went straight up, it goes up daily. Buyers are surprised by the high prices.)

The Department of Agriculture said there were delays in harvest in Central and Southern Luzon.

"Ine-expect natin in two weeks, per industry players, doon magdadatingan ang volume ng maraming harvest, medyo tumigil yung Nueva Vizcaya, in one to two weeks, bababa na ulit presyo nito," said Asec. Arnel de Mesa, DA spokesperson.

(We're expecting more supply in two weeks, so prices will go down.)

ONION SUPPLY

Meanwhile, the DA reported that the supply of onions is still high, and would last for 8 months.

There are 162,000 metric tons of red onions and almost 12,000 metric tons of yellow tons in cold storage.

"Ang nangyari kasi ngayon, dahil naging maganda ang presyo ng sibuyas, naengganyo ang mga onions farmers natin magtanim, at it was reported na nag-increase ng 40 percent in area that was planted and harvested," De Mesa said.

(Because of good prices last year, onion farmers planted more onions and there was a 40 percent increase in the area of onion plantations.)

Because of this, the DA is studying to extend the import ban for onions set to end this July.