Prices of select agricultural commodities, including onion, tilapia, and brown sugar dropped in February, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Onion prices saw the most significant drop, with the average price per kilogram (kg) falling from P188.37 in January to P163.11 in February.
The downward trend continued throughout February, with prices dropping further from P174.91/kg in the first two weeks of February to P163.11/kg in the last half marking a P11.80 reduction.
Tilapia prices showed a slight decline from P169.02/kg in January to P167.62/kg in February, down by at least P1.40 compared to the previous month’s average and by P0.90 compared to January’s peak price.
Brown sugar followed the downward trend with a P1.58 decrease per kilogram, dropping from P78.10/kg in January to P76.52/kg in February.
Eggplant prices also saw a downward trend, decreasing from P91.51/kg in January to P86.18/kg in February, translating to a P5.33/kilo reduction.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) continues to monitor market prices through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), according to assistant secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa.
He emphasized the DA’s ongoing efforts to support both farmers and
consumers through various interventions and marketing strategies.
The Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP), a collaboration between AMAS, the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other government agencies facilitate direct sales from farmers and fishers to consumers.
KNP aims to provide Filipinos with affordable and high-quality
agri-fishery products while minimizing the involvement of middlemen.
It aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas
campaign, a comprehensive plan for achieving social and economic
transformation in the Philippines.