The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) office discussed competitiveness issues in the highland vegetable trade, focusing on carrots and cabbage.
In its research on highland vegetables, the PCC revealed that vegetable farmers confront production and profitability constraints, imbalances in market power and bargaining positions between them and middlemen, a weak correlation between supply and wholesale and retail prices, and restricted market access during harvest periods.
To bolster the agricultural logistics network in CAR, the DA plans to modernize warehouses, trading centers, storage facilities, and processing facilities. The agency has also decided to provide capital, set up consolidation centers, and offer vehicles to recognized farmer cooperatives and associations.
"As a part of its task to advance the National Competition Policy, the PCC conducts market studies to support the development of competitive policies and regulatory reforms across the government," the PCC stated in a declaration.
