MANILA -- Farmgate prices of tomatoes in some parts of Nueva Ecija have dropped to P4 per kilo, according to agricultural group SINAG.

Photos shared by SINAG showed an excess supply of tomatoes in the town of Bongabon being sold for very low prices or given away for free. A 22-kilo crate of tomatoes is selling for just P100 pesos.

The Department of Agriculture says it's important to have cold storage facilities so they can prolong the life of tomatoes, which is a highly-perishable produce.

"Pag tag-init, marami talagang harvest. At pag maraming harvest, siyempre magmumura. Very important dito talaga yung cold storage natin," said Agriculture spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa.

(Tomato harvests are usually high during the summer. And when volume is high, the price gets low, so cold storage facilities are very important.)

Excessive supply of tomatoes has been a recurring problem for many farmers, and it's not uncommon to see tomatoes being dumped or thrown away during this season.

Back in 2023, the Department of Agriculture said post-processing is important so excess tomato supply can be developed into other products.

The agency promised help for tomato farmers.

"Kung talagang maraming kamatis, i-coordinate talaga nila sa kanilang municipal agriculturist o sa aming regional field office.

Tutulungan namin sila kung saan pwedeng i-market. Sa malapit na palengke o sa ating kadiwa sa mga regions o basta hanapan natin ng merkado," De Mesa said.

(If they have a lot of tomatoes, they may coordinate with their local municipal agriculturist or in our regional field office. We will help them market them in Kadiwa stores and we will help them find buyers.)

FROM THE ARCHIVES