In the Malabon City Public Market, the trend of decreasing prices for vegetables was observed however there are some exceptions especially for those products coming in Northern Luzon’s upland areas. The tomatoes, for example, are seeing a decrease in cost to around $2.18 up to $2.72 per kilogram, down from an average of $5.08 in the beginning of 2025. The price increase was due to the delay in delivery, which was particularly observed during the holiday time, as outlined by the vendor Alma Verdadero, citing communication from the suppliers in Divisoria concerning the lack of delivery trucks. In spite of accusations of price manipulations during the Christmas season, sellers such as Verdadero insist that price changes are based on the supplier’s set prices as well as assurances about the absence of a shortage of tomatoes from vendors.

The Philippine Statistics Authority highlighted tomatoes as an important contributor to inflation in the month of December 2024. This translates to the 120.8 percent rate of inflation. In addition, the prices of vegetables like the cauliflower and broccoli that thrive in colder climates like Baguio City and Benguet, will likely to remain at their current price due to the constant weather and a high demand. The prices for cauliflower and broccoli have been ranging from $2.72 between $3.63 or $2.72 per kilogram respectively. That’s an improvement from the prior prices that was $5.44 up to $7.25 for the broccoli. Other varieties of vegetables such as bird’s eye chillies, green chilis bell peppers, as well as bitter gourd (ampalaya) are still attracting greater prices due to a variety of aspects, like seasonal planting cycles. Primary sources for the Malabon Public Market’s supply of vegetables include Divisoria as well as Balintawak Public Markets.

Source: Daily Tribune