The price of vegetables has increased by P60 to P100 in some markets in Manila, as the rainy season begins this year.
In Kamuning Market, broccoli is at P290 to P300 per kilo from the previous price of P120 per kilo.
Cauliflower is at P280 per kilo from P100 per kilo.
Cabbage is now at P140 per kilo from P80 per kilo.
While French Beans are at P200 to P250 per kilo from P120 per kilo.
The price of some lowland vegetables such as ampalaya, pechay tagalog, eggplant, and tomato was raised by P20, based on monitoring by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
DA Region 3 Director Crispulo Bautista explained that tomatoes, which are sensitive to excess water, are in the latter part of the harvest period, so they have gone up in price.
Some vegetables increase prices as rainy season begins
“Nasa last stage ng harvesting ang mga tanim na kamatis. Maselan kasi sa sobrang tubig ang kamatis. Nag-umpisa na kasi tag-ulan. Di siya tulad ng ibang gulay,” he said.
But the DA is surprised by the increase in the price of some lowland vegetables, especially since no typhoon has passed in the provinces that grow vegetables.
“Dapat po, hindi tumataas kasi ang ganda ng weather and we have to see to it na walang maaantala, na there should be no restriction of movements,” said DA Secretary William Dar.
According to some farmers in Benguet, the rainy season has affected the vegetables and they have been planting at the same time for the past two months, so the harvests have been exhausted.
“‘Yung timing ng pagtatanim ng mga farmers last month, two months, nagkasabay-sabay ‘yung pag-aani, ngayon paubos na ‘yung gulay. Kasi tag-ulan na kaya kakaunti ang broccoli. ‘Yung french beans at saka broccoli at saka cauliflower, talagang affected na po pagka tag-ulan,” said farmer Edward Haight.
However, farmers in Benguet are asking for help because vegetables are now in abundance, so they are selling at low prices such as sayote and potatoes.
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