THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said that its attached agency, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), has recommended the destruction of P86.7 million worth of abandoned imported onions after laboratory tests found them unfit for human consumption.
The shipment yielded 26 containers of red onions from China, totaling about 650 metric tons or roughly one day’s national consumption. These were abandoned at the Manila International Container Port, with an estimated P9.7 million in unpaid duties and taxes.
The containers arrived between December 2025 and January 2026. A joint inspection by the BPI and Customs found the onions in an advanced state of decay, with sprouting, rotting, fungal infestation, discoloration and a strong foul odor, the DA said.
Laboratory tests confirmed the onions pose health risks and are unsafe for consumption, prompting the BPI to recommend their immediate destruction.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. backed the recommendation, saying public health must take priority despite the shipment’s value.
The BPI also warned that abandoned perishables occupy valuable port space and increase biosecurity risks.
The case highlights the need to prevent abandoned imports from becoming logistical and environmental burdens at ports, the DA said.