By: Vanessa Bugtong
Farmers in Kibungan, Benguet are struggling to sell their chili harvests due to a sudden oversupply in the market, which has caused prices to plummet from 100 pesos to as low as 25 pesos per kilo.
“Depending on the quality, we usually expect 100 pesos or more per kilo,” said Tessie Abawa, President of the Sagpat Green Luzon Farmer’s Organization, “But since there haven’t been storms or major disruptions, a lot of people planted chili, which led to oversupply.”
The problem lies not with local production but with the overall glut in the national market, especially in major trading areas.
“Our issue is really marketing,” Abawa explained.
“It’s not just here in Kibungan; there’s oversupply in the whole distribution network we rely on. That’s why buyers offer lower prices.”
Even in Baguio City, the price drop is felt by small vendors like Nanay Josie, who now buys in smaller quantities.
“Only two plastic bags arrived earlier, I only paid 40 pesos,” said Josie Angon, “Sometimes it’s 25 pesos, 30 pesos, but because it rains often, a lot of it goes to waste.”
The chili supply flooding Baguio comes not just from Benguet, but also from regions like Ilocos.
“A lot of the chili now comes from Ilocos,” Josie added.
Other vegetables from Benguet are experiencing similar trends. Based on the latest monitoring from the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC):
Cabbage now costs 10 pesos to 20 pesos per kilo, down from 24 pesos to 53 pesos.
Potatoes are at 7 pesos to 34 pesos per kilo, down from 30 pesos to 40 pesos.
Carrots, on the other hand, increased in price, from 3 pesos to 17 pesos to 1 peso to 35 pesos per kilo.
Experts warn that vegetable prices may continue to fluctuate depending on the impact of the Habagat season on crop supply in Northern Luzon.
