8 institutional buyers eye Mindoro onions; 16 MT monthly demand sought

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor, Philippine News Agency

SUFFICIENT SUPPLY. Imported onions are offloaded from a truck in Divisoria, Manila, in this Nov. 28, 2025 photo. The Department of Agriculture on Monday (April 6, 2026) said some eight institutional buyers have expressed interest in sourcing red onions directly from Mindoro with a potential monthly demand ranging from 5 to 16 metric tons. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – At least eight institutional buyers have expressed interest in sourcing red onions directly from Mindoro following a virtual market matching conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on March 31.

In a news release on Monday, the DA said the initiative, led by its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service and its Mimaropa Region counterpart, revealed a potential monthly demand ranging from 5 to 16 metric tons (MT), providing local farmers a direct gateway to the institutional market.

Among the prominent buyers who participated were Walter Mart Supermarket, Robinsons Supermarket, Nutri-Asia, Vikings Group, Blue McKay Food Manufacturing, Agro-Digital PH, Bernabe Market and the New Las Piñas Market.

Lawyer Christopher Bañas, DA-Mimaropa regional executive director, assured farmers of the agency’s continued guidance to ensure these initial expressions of interest translate into successful transactions.

“Our role does not end with linking farmers to the market. Our agency ensures sustained guidance to cooperatives and associations so that agreements are fulfilled and each transaction becomes successful, for the real benefit of our farmers,” Bañas said.

One of the key agreements reached during the session was to empower farmer cooperatives and associations to set their own farmgate and delivery prices to ensure fair earnings.

To further reduce operational costs, the DA plans to utilize Kadiwa trucks for deliveries to major markets in Cavite and the National Capital Region.

The New Las Piñas Market also committed to providing priority selling space for Mindoro’s produce.

Beyond onions, several buyers expressed interest in other regional commodities such as garlic, bell pepper, ginger and calamansi.

DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Mimaropa Market Specialist III Rustom Gonzaga emphasized that the goal is to build long-term, profitable partnerships rather than just addressing current supply needs.

Participating groups from Mindoro included the Municipal Agriculture Offices of Magsaysay, Sablayan, Paluan and Bulalacao, alongside various cooperatives such as the Mindoro Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Occidental Mindoro Onion Industry Council.

The DA clarified that while the 16 MT monthly demand is a significant milestone, specific details on pricing, final volumes and delivery schedules are currently being finalized between the farmers and the buyers.