Department of Agriculture Initiates Coordination to Mitigate Tomato Wastage

MANILA – In response to reports of tomato wastage during the off-season harvest, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun collaborating with its regional offices to manage surpluses effectively and prevent further losses.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agency is actively engaging with the regional field offices of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region II following recent incidents of tomato disposal in Nueva Vizcaya. De Mesa highlighted the possibility of redirecting surplus tomatoes to Kadiwa sites or markets in Metro Manila with logistical support from the DA. This initiative aims to stabilize the supply and prevent unnecessary wastage.

The issue extends beyond these regions, with Central Luzon and Calabarzon also reporting high volumes of tomato harvests. Rosendo So, Chairperson of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), emphasized the need for better coordination between the DA and farmers’ cooperative associations (FCAs) to manage the distribution efficiently and potentially stabilize market prices.

Following a significant price spike in early July, where tomato prices reached PHP 140 to PHP 220 per kilogram, the continued harvest is expected to lead to a reduction in retail prices. “It was delayed by around one week and two weeks. But our harvest is continuous. So we will see a drop in prices in the next few days,” So stated during a separate Zoom interview.

Despite the fluctuations, De Mesa noted that the current retail prices of tomatoes remain within the reasonable bracket of PHP 60/kg to PHP 80/kg, according to the DA Bantay Presyo monitoring as of August 12, with prices ranging up to PHP 130/kg. He also underscored the urgency of developing agricultural infrastructure, such as cold storage and post-harvest facilities, to address the challenges associated with peak harvest periods effectively.