THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering the importation of key agricultural commodities given the substantial damage to domestic production from successive storms.

A decision will be made this week, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said on Tuesday.

"The impacts of the successive typhoons have been huge," de Mesa said, pointing to storms Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel and Pepito that have battered the country in the past few months.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has also ordered the Bureau of Plant Industry to look into the persistent high prices and "recommend ... within the week, possible strategies," de Mesa added.

"Our priority is to get the vegetables from other vegetable-producing areas and regions. If that would be enough to temper the prices then there's no need to import, but if there's a necessity to import, we will do that."

De Mesa noted the Philippines only imports a minimal volume of vegetables. But with agricultural damage from typhoons already at P10 billion, he said the government was considering all options to ensure sufficient supply.

He also said that discussions had been held regarding additional fish imports. In April, Tiu Laurel issued an order allowing the importation of 30,000 metric tons (MT) of pelagic fish species to augment supply in line with the closed-fishing season.

The DA is now eyeing to import an additional 8,000 MT to temper high market prices.

De Mesa said the high prices could reflect fisheries losses from bad weather but assured that there would be enough supply, especially for the upcoming holidays.

The DA will also not be imposing price controls as other interventions could help alleviate price concerns.

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