Agricultural prices dip in early 2024

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reports a welcome downturn in the prices of several agricultural commodities for the first two months of 2024, indicating relief for Filipino consumers.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the price of red onions saw a notable drop of P25.26 per kilo from January to February, with retail prices contracting by P11.8 in the same period.

Similarly, tilapia witnessed a price reduction, with February’s average retail price falling to P167.62 per kilo from January’s P169.02.

The trend continued with brown sugar, which decreased by P1.58 per kilo, and eggplant, dropping by P5.33 per kilo between January and February.

In a press statement, Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa highlighted the DA’s ongoing vigilance.

“The Department of Agriculture (DA) has been persistently monitoring the movement of prices in the markets,” he stated, assuring the department’s proactive role in ensuring price stability.

The DA, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), is not only monitoring but also actively facilitating marketing strategies and interventions to support farm producers and ensure consumers have access to quality, affordable agri-fishery products.

One such intervention is the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) program, which, in partnership with other government agencies, allows farmers and fishers to sell their produce directly to consumers.

This initiative is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign, aimed at fostering inclusive economic and social transformation.

These measures by the DA represent a concerted effort to support both producers and consumers, signaling a continued commitment to the agricultural sector’s sustainability and affordability. (With information and photo from DA-AFID)