Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
18 April, 2026, 8:52 pm
Central - 23°C Rain
IN DEPTH
18 April, 2026, 8:52 pm Central - 23°C Rain

How onions became a luxury in the Philippines

How onions became a luxury in the Philippines

By Alipate Narawa
28/01/2023
[Photo: Yahoo News]

According to official statistics, the price of onions surged in the Philippines to around USD$12.80 per kg last month.

That is more than the cost of meat, and the Southeast Asian country's daily minimum wage.

The staple ingredient in Filipino cuisine has become a symbol of the rising cost of living.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is also the agriculture secretary earlier this month approved the import of red and yellow onions in an attempt to boost supply.

Onions have been so sought after that April Lyka Biorrey chose to carry a bouquet of the crop at her wedding in Iloilo City.

Biorrey asked her groom if they could use onions instead of flowers, since after the wedding the flowers would wilt and end up being thrown away.

Earlier this month, 10 crew members from Philippine Airlines were investigated for attempting to smuggle nearly 40kg of onions and fruits into luggage bags.

Source: BBC 

FEATURE NEWS
Vakarisi dead, 3 released and evidence of unauthorized weapons outside RFMF's inventory - Commander
Druglord, Jone Vakarisi has died in military custody, 3 other associates have been released after questioning, 1 Republic of Fiji Military Forces pers...
7 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Hong Kong 7s: Fijiana to play Australia at 11.42 tonight in Cup quarterfinal
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side will take on Australia at 11.42 tonight in the last Cup quarterfinal at the Hong Kong 7s.In other quarterfinals, ...
1 hour ago

Hong Kong 7s: Fiji will meet Argentina in last quarterfinal at 12.28am tomorrow
The Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side will meet Argentina in the last Cup quarterfinal at 12.28am tomorrow.In other quarterfinals, France plays New ...
2 hours ago

Motorcyclists raise safety concerns after taxi tailgating video on social media
Concerns have been raised over biker safety after a video showed a taxi driver tailgating a motorcyclist and nearly causing an accident. Executive ...
3 hours ago

Hong Kong 7s: Fijiana get thumped 38-0 by New Zealand
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side were outclassed 38-0 by New Zealand in their final pool game this afternoon at the Hong Kong 7s.The Black Ferns ...
3 hours ago

Fiji records 300 stroke cases annually as rehabilitation demand rises
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has revealed that Fiji continues to face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's State Funeral
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva ...
2 days ago

TC Vaianu Coverage
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is urging the public to remain alert, prepared, and watch out for one another as Tropical Cyclone ...
9 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
9 days ago

TOP