GARLIC and ginger prices spiked up to P400/kg.
Prices of some spices have now surpassed the price of pork and beef in several markets in Metro Manila reaching P400 per kilogram due to limited supply.
However, the Department of Agriculture responds to it.
Chicken tinola, batchoy, and fish paksiw – these are just a few dishes that’s uses ginger just to enhanced the taste.
And your favorite pares or beef soup – taste better with fried garlic.
Spices like ginger and garlic are not only use for cooking, they are also effective remedies for colds and coughs.
The problem is, these spices are now priced like gold.
In Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, the price of garlic has soared to P400/kg, while ginger is now P280/kg.
Be wise when buying spices like ginger because in Marikina Public Market prices this has also doubled reaching P400/kg.
“Because when it arrives here at a high price, we really need to increase our prices. Due to the very high capital cost… we would incur losses otherwise.
“When I use ginger only when it’s cheap or when I really need to … because it’s expensive,” said Jona, Customer.
Thus, Edith limits her purchases of ginger and garlic.
In her small eatery, she uses these ingredients sparingly to avoid losses.
“It’s really expensive, very expensive at P300–P400… Of course, we are saddened because it seems like the prices keep increasing,” Edith, Eatery Owner said.
DA: Garlic, ginger prices in Metro Manila markets soar due to limited supply
The agriculture department admits that the prices of these ingredients have indeed increased.
Ginger and garlic are seasonal crops, leading to supply limited.
The supply could be diverted for household consumption or processing.
“So, there is a competition for supply. For household and for processing. So, the spike in prices shows that there is a tight supply availability at the moment,” said Ching Caballero, Undersecretary for High Value Crops, DA
SINAG disputes the spice price hike, citing low farm gate prices
According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the current prices of some spices in the market are questionable.
The farm gate price of ginger is only P170/kg, so its retail or reasonable price should be around P220/kg.
“The problem lies in the value chain. So, it needs to be checked carefully where or why the price suddenly surged,” stated Engr. Rosendo so, Chairman, SINAG.
The Agriculture Department will look into this matter.
“If we look at BAPTC and NVAT, which are basically our wholesale food markets, it’s around P100. So, we are examining if the increase is due to transport costs,” Caballero added.
Local garlic production in the country is still lower—DA
Meanwhile, garlic harvesting season is almost over, but production is still insufficient.
Local garlic production stands at over 38,000 metric tons or just 2% compared to our demand around 140,000 metric tons.
This means that 98% of the garlic available in markets is imported.
According to the DA, it’s more cost-effective to use native spices like garlic from Batanes, which, though smaller, but its more flavorful than imported ones.
“This is what we are communicating to our community. We, need to appreciate the comparison. It’s cheaper, but not as pungent. Slightly more expensive, but you only need one clove,” Caballero said.
The agriculture department aims to increase garlic production from 2% to 20% by expanding multiplier farms in Nueva Vizcaya, Lanao del Norte, Quezon, and other areas.
