Red onion stocks seen to last until 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s red onion stocks are projected to last until early next year as total supplies are estimated to reach over 150,000 metric tons (MT) by the end of the month, latest government estimates showed.

Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed that the country’s current red onion stocks, both local and imported, reached 112,948.41 MT in the first week of May.

The volume is expected to rise to 154,796.36 MT as around 41,792 MT of red onions are expected to be produced until the end of the month.

The total projected red onion supplies will be enough to last for about 264 days or until Jan. 21, 2026, BPI estimates showed.

If the supply estimates materialize, it would be the second straight year the government would be restricting the importation of red onions due to ample stocks.

Last year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) did not authorize the importation of a single red onion because of a bumper local harvest, with stocks lasting throughout 2024.

However, due to spoilage in cold storages, the DA allowed the importation of as much as 3,000 MT of red onions in the first quarter to quell upticks in the retail price of the spice and prevent further spikes in the market.

Nevertheless, the current red onion stocks in cold storages nationwide as of May 2 may last for 193 days or until Nov. 11, according to the BPI.

Meanwhile, current fresh yellow onion stocks stood at 18,953.44 MT, which is estimated to be sufficient for 129 days or until Sept. 8.

The BPI expects around 3,345 MT of yellow onions to be harvested this month, bringing total supplies to 22,298.98 MT. The projected total yellow onion stocks may last for 152 days or until Oct. 1.

Average red onion prices in Metro Manila wet markets remained relatively stable in the first week of May at around P120 per kilo while white onion averaged at P105 per kilo, based on DA data.

The country’s onion production in the first quarter inched up to 203,927.38 MT from 201,248.06 MT, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The country harvests onions only once during the dry season, making it critical for the government to properly assess local supplies to ensure that there will not be any shortages of the beloved commodity.

Usually, the government through the BPI and the DA, limits the amount of onion importation to the foreseen shortfall in domestic production or supplies in relation to the estimated total market demand or consumption.