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Southeast Asia

Apr 19, 2005

Chinese vegetables flood Cebu market

CEBU CITY - The entry into the Philippine market of cheap China-grown vegetables is threatening the livelihood of vegetable farmers and the vegetable-growing industry in general.

According to Chamber of Vegetable Industry-Multipurpose Cooperative (Chavi-MC) director Florida Ybanez, vegetables from China come cheap because they are mass produced at low production costs.

"China also subsidizes its agricultural industry, and the cost of inputs such as fertilizers is low," she pointed out.

The Chavi-MC is against Manila's proposed increase in the value-added-tax (VAT) rate from 10-12%, saying it will result in an increase of prices for all goods and services, including inputs in vegetables production.

Chavi president Lilia Oguis said the cooperative would prepare a resolution that will seek to exempt the vegetable-growing industry from the VAT hike as production cost for growing vegetables is high but the buying price is low.

Relatively, Chavi vice chair Reynaldo Lee encouraged farmers to plant different crops or make use of the multi-cropping method to sustain their income, aside from planting vegetables.

"You should also plant vegetables for your personal consumption. Do not sell everything. Leave some for your family. Also, multi-cropping is useful so that you will have crops to sell in all seasons," he said.

Farmers all over the country are set to hold their 3rd National Vegetable Congress on April 28-29 at the Marriott Hotel here.

(Asia Pulse/PNA)

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