Farmers Dump Tomato Harvest Amid Price Drop in Nueva Vizcaya

Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

Farmers in Nueva Vizcaya have discarded their tomato harvest due to low market prices and decreased demand. Residents of Barangay Bonfal East collected and used the discarded tomatoes, which remained fresh and of good quality. This situation, noted by Julio Basilan of the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT), has been reported to the Department of Agriculture-2.

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The overlap of the harvest season in Nueva Vizcaya with other regions like Ilocos, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Central Luzon contributed to this price drop. Despite no overproduction, the demand from buyers decreased. Smaller-sized tomatoes dominate the region's harvest, whereas consumers favor larger ones, affecting marketability and pricing.

Wholesale prices reflect the size preference: large tomatoes sell at P10 to P12 per kilo, while medium-sized ones range from P8 to P10 per kilo. In response, officials are optimistic that programs like Kadiwa and partnerships with NGOs for barter trade will alleviate the financial strain on farmers.

Looking forward, there is hope that improved coordination with these initiatives may stabilize prices and boost demand. This effort aims to enhance the profitability for local farmers by diversifying markets and promoting sustainable practices, reported Manila Bulletin.

Key Takeaways

• Farmers in Nueva Vizcaya face low prices and demand, leading to waste.

• Size preferences and regional competition have affected tomato sales.

• Programs and partnerships are being explored to mitigate losses.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Manila Bulletn · 23 Feb 2026