THE Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the recent interception of 25 metric tons of illegally imported red onions from China at an undisclosed Mindanao port.
The shipment, consigned to Manila-based Lantix Consumer Goods Trading and arriving on May 26th, was misdeclared as containing various frozen food items including egg noodles, croissant dough, pizza dough, buns, and spring rolls.
The estimated value of the seized red onions is approximately P2 million.
The DA emphasized that no sanitary and phytosanitary import permits were issued for red onion shipments from China.
The agency intends to pursue legal action against those involved under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which imposes significant fines and prison sentences for agricultural smuggling.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recently reiterated the DA’s commitment to combating agricultural smuggling during a visit to a Manila public market where suspected illegally imported red onions were discovered.
He announced a partnership with the Philippine National Police to strengthen enforcement efforts. The DA, through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), carefully assesses supply and demand before authorizing any import orders.
The seizure highlights the ongoing challenges in preventing agricultural smuggling and the government’s efforts to protect local farmers and consumers.
