Philippine onion exports could recommence for the first time in over a decade, according to the Sun Star Manila.
A trial shipment of Philippine yellow onions is expected to arrive in Japan next week, with the prospect of a full-scale export programme seemingly hinging on its success.
“If the initial shipment conforms to the quality standards and accepted by the Japanese market, it would pave the way to further boosting our onion industry, and providing our farmers assured markets and income,” Philippine Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said.
Yellow onions have not been exported from the Phillipines in the last 13 years.
Alcala said the Philippines’ onion industry suffered a slump in the 1990s due to an influx of cheaper imported onions, which haltered domestic production.
Over the last 10 years the industry has slowly recovered, with the country producing over 124,000 tonnes of onions last year.
