The Department of Justice said a cartel controlled by 4 individuals, in connivance with Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) officials, is behind the “staggering” spike in garlic prices in Metro Manila. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima made the statement September 3 after the DOJ’s Office for Competition (OFC) completed its Report on the Garlic Industry, as earlier directed by President Benigno Aquino III. Garlic prices caught the attention of Malacañang when they reached a high of P287 ($6.58) per kilo in June 2014 – a 74% increase within a one-year period and more than 100% increase from average prices. About 73% of garlic demand is supplied by imports, while the remaining 27% comes from local sources. The DOJ said the importation system has allowed one businesswoman to control the bulk of garlic importation.
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