How onions in the Philippines became literally the "new gold" (11 photos)

It just so happened that one of the most popular and beloved culinary ingredient in different countries is the onion. Yes, yes, his tart taste and bright aroma make dishes more interesting, richer and, of course it tastes better.





Cutlets, stews, soups, salads - in almost every one of these Meals Meets Onions Experience To this vegetable is especially warm, almost to tears, feelings.



So in the Philippines, onions are a key ingredient. almost any dish except, perhaps, desserts. That's why it is not surprising that the locals were extremely sensitive to the sharp and a radical increase in the price of this beloved product.





You won't believe it, but onions are currently in the Philippines nearly three times the price of chicken. According to official data, in January this year (almost yesterday) the price of onions in the Philippines rose to 700 pesos (approximately $12.80) per kilogram. This means that the onion its value overtook not only other foodstuffs, say, meat, but also exceeded the national minimum daily wage South-East Asia!



Simply put, if an ordinary Filipino wants to buy a kilogram of onions, he is unlikely to succeed. First, he doesn't have there is so much money, and, secondly, there is not so much money in the store Luke! What can we say about the owners of cafes and restaurants, for whom onions are an essential ingredient in almost any dish. If before they could afford to buy 3-4 kilograms of this vegetable, today we are forced limited to kilograms. And that, alas, is all they can do. count.



But what is the reason for such a hype and a sharp jump in prices? Everything blame a series of supertyphoons that hit the country last year. The wild elements inflicted incredible damage on the crop, which cost the government of the country several tens of billions of pesos. Besides, a sudden shortage of onions has turned this vegetable into a symbol of growth cost of living. How is this related? The point is that inflation measures the rise in prices of everything from food to fuel, has reached new 14-year high, and all these factors, as you understand, are interconnected.



As I said above, the sharp rise in onion prices hit only for ordinary citizens, who, in general, can survive the shortage onions in the diet. Kiosks with street food - so common and beloved by tourists in the Philippines. Fried vegetables, meat and seafood are usually served with onion sauce and vinegar. Onions add a savory crunch and sweetness and contrast well with salinity of local food. So without it, just nowhere!



Due to their high cost, onions in the Philippines have become something like the local currency. So, for example, visitors to some stores in Manila take onion heads with them to exchange them for household items, air fresheners, ceramic dishes and even appliances. Many went further, and are asked to give them a bow as a birthday present or wedding.



And one enterprising Filipino bride decided use a bunch of onions not only as your wedding bouquet, but also use this vegetable as a festive decor. She argued that at the end of the celebration, the flowers wither and their throw away. This will not happen with onions. And who dares to throw out such an expensive and valuable vegetable!



Sky-high onion prices spark activity smugglers, who apparently decided that the bow is now the “new gold”. So according to the Philippine government news agency, at the end of December, customs officers seized smuggled consignments of white onions, hidden in containers with clothes, worth $310,000 and red onions from China in the amount of $364,000.



A little earlier, but in the same monthe, against 10 members crew of the Philippine Airlines was investigated in the case of attempted to smuggle almost 40 kg of onions and fruit in luggage bags. Later customs officials stated that the crew members would not be shown no accusations, but warned them against trying again carry a bow on board the aircraft. The same warning applies to ordinary travelers. Due to the scarcity, onions have become the "new gold" in Philippines, and gold smuggling, as you know, is a serious matter ...

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