HOUSE SPEAKER Martin Romualdez issued a stern warning to traders and middlemen that if they participate in profiteering or jacking up prices of agricultural products and basic commodities, then they will be found and charged.

He made the warning when the House Trade and Industry Committee made an investigation into the alleged discrepancy between the farm gate prices of agricultural products and basic commodities when they are compared to retail prices.

“Sa mga profiteering traders, middleman, na masyadong matakaw sa kita nila... bantay na lang tayo. Moderate your greed. Try to be more reasonable,” Romualdez said.

“Masyadong malawak ang pagitan ng farmgate price sa final selling price. Nasasaktan talaga ang mga consumers, and perwisyo rin sa mga farmers. We are sad about the results of the inquiry,” Romualdez added.

Likewise the Department of Agriculture (DA) Agribusiness and Marketing Service (AMAS) Director Junibert de Sagun detailed the final retail prices of agricultural products were affected by several factors, among which were:

• processing, transportation, and marketing costs incurred between the farmer and consumer
• market demand
• supply chain
• marketing (intermediary) margin
• weather conditions
• market competition.