Spike in Fuel Costs Hits Benguet’s Agricultural Sector, Vegetable Trading Slows
Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Post is quiet.
By: Dave Leprozo Jr.
Arman Daito says truck drivers park at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Outposts.
La Trinidad, Benguet — What is usually a bustling hub of highland vegetable trading at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Post has turned into a scene of slowed activity. The culprit: spiraling fuel prices driven by the ongoing Middle East crisis, which have triggered cautious consumer spending and a downtrend in produce orders.
Jake Andumon says the high fuel costs are affecting trading.
Cargo truck operators and traders interviewed at the trading post reiterated that the surge in fuel costs has directly affected transport and farming production, leading to reduced sales and losses for farmers.
Farmers Contemplate Cutting Planting Cycles
With fuel costs eating into production expenses, farmers are now considering reducing their planting cycles. “Unstable market prices make farming unprofitable most times,” said Roy Rufino, a farmer who expressed uncertainty about continuing at the same pace.
Reduction of planting volume is imminent with farmers declaring losses in sales.
Cargo Handlers Feel the Pinch
Truck drivers and handlers also voiced their concerns:
- Arman Daito, who drives the La Trinidad–Metro Manila route, noted that trading volume is on a downtrend.
- Jake Andumon and Biboy Aguilar, whose routes extend to Masbate via RORO shipping, pointed to inactivity among cargo trucks, many of which remain parked at the trading post grounds.
Traders and Stall Owners Struggle
For stall owner Joelma Bao-Ed, the situation has already translated into losses. “Sales have plunged as buyers feel the pinch of expensive vegetables,” she said, echoing the sentiments of other traders who are struggling to keep up with rising costs.
A Sector Under Pressure
Vegetable sales at a standstil
The agricultural sector, already vulnerable to market fluctuations, now faces the added weight of fuel-driven expenses. With cargo trucks idling, farmers reducing planting cycles, and consumers tightening their budgets, Benguet’s vegetable trading scene reflects the broader impact of the global oil crisis on local livelihoods.
