If the prices of onions are any indicator of our economy, it tells us that we’re in for tougher times.
The prices of onions as of last week in Negros Oriental have been reported to be as high as P750 per kilo in supermarkets for red onions. Even the small variety of onions, called sibuying, are sold at P400 per kilo. Still expensive by any standard.
A partial report from DTI-Negros Oriental showed that as of Jan. 20, prices of red onions here were from P660 to P750 a kilo; red onions (imported) at P490 to P580 a kilo; and white onions from P360 to P400 a kilo. These prices are much higher than the world average.
So why should it matter, one might ask? Well, this staple ingredient in Filipino cuisine is now more expensive than meat.
The prices of onions have apparently increased due to a lack of supply, even here in Negros Oriental. Rains brought about by climate change have been blamed for the shortage of the local supply.
If the price of onions can be left to soar, how far can we be from seeing prices of other food items rise as well?
So far, all we’ve seen about the onion problem is the alarm over the high prices. No one is talking about planting onions so we would not have to import onions, as well other essential commodities.
The good thing about onions is that they grow even in flower pots. For the uninitiated, YouTube has a lot of tutorials on how to grow them.
Self-sufficiency should be our battlecry in 2023. Especially for the thousands of plantitos and plantitas among us, let’s get our hands dirty once more, this time growing our own food and ingredients.
Enough of political talk.
