The price of of tomatoes at the Mangaldan Public Market in Pangasinan has skyrocketed to P120 per kilo, a sharp increase from just P30 per kilo a week ago.Eva Nudo, a vendor, said the heavy rains in recent weeks caused a shortage in supply.“Mataas ang presyo ng kamatis, sobra, kasi noong bumagyo, nasira na, kaya ngayon sobrang taas, kaunti ang suplay,” she said.
Despite the high prices, consumers have no choice but to adjust, often purchasing smaller, repacked quantities.“Mahirap kasi mahal lahat pero kailangan naman,” Dennis de Vera, a shopper, said.Engr. Rosendo So, chairman of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura , explained that price increases are common after heavy rains.“Talagang ganun, kapag tag-ulan ‘yung produkto medyo may problema, pero kapag nag-normalize na ‘yung panahon natin, bumabalik na rin ang sigla ng taniman natin,” he said.