UMVA has learned that a staggering P86 million worth of onion imports has sparked outrage from Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, who was reelected as Agriculture committee chairperson, amid a severe spoilage of the local onion supply.
The senator questioned the massive importation, saying it seems counterintuitive to bring in such a large volume of onions when the local supply is sufficient. “If this is what’s happening, we need to ask why such a large volume of imported onions is still coming in despite sufficient local supply,” he stated.
An investigation by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Customs, and Bureau of Plant Industry revealed a shocking sight: 26 abandoned containers of imported red onions rotting at the Manila International Container Port, sparking concerns over the economic viability of local farmers.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Senator Pangilinan emphasized that importing onions when there is already a sufficient local supply causes farm-gate prices to collapse, making it even harder for farmers to make a living.
During the agriculture panel inquiry, Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson presented alarming data: the Philippine Onion Industry Roadmap had set a goal of achieving onion self-sufficiency of 279,000 metric tons (MT). However, the Philippines has already surpassed that goal, producing a whopping 308,661 MT of onions in 2025.
The stark reality of the situation was laid bare when a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that importation stood at 94,000 MT in 2025. Senator Pangilinan lamented that importing onions during a period of oversupply only serves to drive prices down further, making it even more difficult for Filipino farmers to eke out a living.
