Officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Food Terminal, Inc (FTI), local government unit of Manila and Philippine National Police (PNP), observed a spike in the prices of carrots and tomatoes during their market visit at Paco Market, Manila on September 25, 2025.
DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra said that the elevated prices are due to weather conditions and limited supply of the agricultural commodities.
“For the past several weeks, hindi bumababa ‘yung presyo ng carrot, nag-₱300 pa nga ‘yan e. Nagmahal talaga ang kuha nila na mga hango sa Benguet usually. ‘Yung kamatis ganun din ang nakikita natin, tag-ulan ngayon, ₱200 pataas siya. Kung titigil ang ulan, bababa ‘yan. Prices for tomatoes during the normal season range from ₱60–₱80 lang. Tinitignan natin that this is because of the weather and supply,” she said.
Moreover, In the nearby Dagonoy Market, Asec. Velicaria-Guevarra noted that carrots remained at high prices, while pork and liempo were within the suggested retail price (SRP). Chicken prices, on the other hand, were observed to be volatile.
She also expressed satisfaction that the ongoing rice importation ban has not affected local supply or prices, particularly the Suggested Retail Price.
The DA assured consumers that mechanisms are in place to protect them from excessive price increases. ###
