Disruptions in vegetable transport are beginning to affect both farmer incomes and food availability in key markets, warned Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., who accompanied President Marcos Jr. during the visit Friday to Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC).
During the visit, the President inspected the agriculture trading hub, as the government ramped up both emergency and long-term measures to help Cordillera farmers cope with surging fuel and logistics costs amid the energy crisis.
Officials said continued investments in logistics, market systems, and infrastructure like the BAPTC will be crucial to stabilizing supply, improving efficiency, and protecting farmer incomes amid volatile fuel prices.
Tiu Laurel underscored the urgency of stabilizing supply chains and the critical role played by the BAPTC.
The BAPTC is one of the three major trading hubs for highland vegetables, moving around 165,000 tons annually valued at about PHP6.4 billion or 17 million daily. It links more than 110 farmers daily to buyers in Metro Manila and other major demand centers, distributing crops such as cabbage, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, broccoli, and bell peppers.
However, rising fuel prices have strained the system. In recent weeks, due to low vegetable price and high cost of logistics, some farmers delay their harvest or risk spoilage in anticipation of higher wholesale price in the trading center.
President Marcos has directed the Department of Agriculture to address the supply disruption quickly by providing market assistance as well as deploying government trucks to haul produce directly from farms to markets, easing bottlenecks and preventing losses.
The intervention is part of broader measures that include logistics coordination, backloading arrangements, and expanded market matching. As of mid-April, the DA has facilitated the transport and sale of nearly 28 metric tons of vegetables, with additional shipments of about 57 metric tons lined up for delivery to various markets.
During the visit, the government distributed PHP15.4 million worth of production inputs, machinery, and trading capital to 45 farmer cooperatives and associations. This forms part of a wider PHP859.6 million CAR allocation for 2026, covering seeds, fertilizers, irrigation support, post-harvest equipment, and training services benefiting over 1,300 groups and 3,700 individuals.
Despite interventions, pressures persist. Fertilizer prices have surged sharply, while logistics costs have increased by up to PHP10 per kilogram for inter-island shipments. Wholesale buyer’s presence has declined, contributing to reduced trading activity at the facility.
Tiu Laurel said that Benguet farmers remain indispensable to the country’s food system. “Highlands farmers are at the heart of our vegetable supply chain, ensuring a steady, reliable flow of highland produce not only for everyday consumers in wet markets but also for institutional buyers such as supermarkets, restaurants, and food service providers across the country,” he said. “When they are affected, the entire supply chain feels the impact, which is why sustaining their productivity and market access is a top priority.”
