Eggplant Industry Situationer in the Philippines

Uses :

Although eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) is of minor importance in the Western and European countries, it is one of the most popular vegetable crops in the Philippines . It is used:

1. as basic ingredient in “ pinakbet ”, a popular vegetable stew in the northern part of the country
2. in preparation of eggplant omelets

Immature fruits are either roasted, fried, stuffed, boiled, pickled or processes while the young fruits are eaten raw.

Varieties:

Native varieties: Negros Purple , Pampanga Purple and Simeda . Two new eggplant varieties are also available, Dingras Long Purple and Dingras Multiple Purple .

Foreign varieties: Black Beauty and Golden Gate

Hybrid varieties:

F1 Kalenda – Early Hybrid F1

F Harvest begins 60 to 80 days from transplant during 3 to 5 weeks

F Strong and vigorous

F Fruits are long tapered, bright black purple color, 250 to 350 grams weight

F Plantation rate: 7,000 to 13,000 plants/ha. 1.6 to 2 m between rows and 0.60 to 0.90 meters between plants

F Disease tolerance: Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas Solanacearum ), Anthracnose, Colletotricum ,

F Very good yield: 40 to 60 tons/ha

F1 Adama – Early hybrid

F Maturity from transplanting: 70 days after

F Plant is medium tall – 60 to 70 cm

F Fruit shape long black purple, fruit is 150 to 300 grams

F Disease tolerance: TMV, Verticillium , CMV, Odium

Other varieties: Florida Market , F1 Bonita , African Eggplants

Agro-ecological Environment:

1. Soil – Deep sandy loam and clay loam. Satisfactory moisture supply, high fertility, and good drainage are needed.
2. Temperature – 21°C to 29°C
3. General climate – long, warm growing season approximately 120 days

Grades and Standards

Eggplants sold in the market are fresh, long and purple with rounded tips classified according to length such as:

a. Primera – 11 to 12 inches

b. Segunda – 8 to 10 inches

c. Tercera – 5 to 7 inches

A kilo of primera eggplant may have 6 pieces; segunda – 8 pieces; tercera – 12 piece .

Wholesale buying is by “ ginatos ” (hundreds). Eggplants are bundled in sacks, “ kaings or bulto ”. A small “ bulto ” may contain 1,000 pcs of eggplant, a medium “ bulto ” 1,800 pcs and a large “ bulto ” 3,000 pcs . The minimum volume is 100 pieces in wholesale transactions.

Retailers also classify eggplant according to length, as follows:

a. Large – 11 to 12 inches

b. Medium – 8 to 10 inches

c. Small – below 8 inch
Eggplants for retail should be fresh, long and purple. Retail selling is usually per piece but ambulant vendors normally sell by pile or “ tumpok ”. The minimum transaction volume is 1 piece.

Market Price Trends

The supply and demand factors largely underline the price formation process, along with eggplant size. Price differences of P0.30 – P0.50 per piece exist between medium and large eggplants. A slightly higher price difference of P0.35 – P0.55 per piece occurs between small and medium and between small and large eggplants.

When eggplant supply is high and demand is weak prices dip by P1.00 per piece. Conversely, prices increase by P1.00 per piece when low supply exists alongside market demand. This situation is prevalent during lean production months.

Source: www.bar.gov.ph

Where to buy eggplant seeds: www.harbest.com.ph, www.eastwestseed.com

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