Supply chain analysis for the eggplant industry in selected areas in the Philippines - final report

English. This study employed trend analysis, costs and returns analysis, efficiency analysis, and descriptive analysis to analyze the existing supply chains of eggplant in Pangasinan (in Region 1-Ilocos Region) and Quezon (in Region 4A-CALABARZON) [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Philippines] in identifying areas for improvement. Primary data were gathered from farmers and traders in Pangasinan and Quezon in addition to interviews of key informants such as Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Municipal Agricultural Offices and City Agricultural Offices in some areas. Secondary data were obtained from government agencies, literature and other sources. Farmers plant hybrid seed varieties that can produce high yields and long fruit. Traders prefer the hybrids, purple and elongated eggplant and also consider other features such as shelf life and transportability (i.e., firmness) of fruit. Retailers classify them as large (primera), medium (segunda or semi) and small (tercera). Lastly, consumers base the quality of eggplant on color, size and shape of the fruit. Seventy-five percent of the marketable surplus of Pangasinan and 50% of the Quezon produce go to Divisoria and Balintawak and the rest were distributed within respective regions and local markets. Eggplant flows from farmers to assembler-wholesaler to wholesaler-retailers and consumers with activities and processes spanning from farm production and harvesting, post-harvest practices, distributing to wholesalers, retailers, institutional buyers, and selling to final consumers.

English. Thirteen supply chains were identified in Pangasinan (one leading to Dizon Farms) and 15 in Quezon. All these supply chains passed through the assembler-wholesalers who distributed to wholesalers and/or retailers in major markets. Payment for eggplant procured is usually in cash. Retailers sell on cash basis to final consumers. Cost and returns analysis for eggplant farmers revealed that growers in Pangasinan realized a net farm income of PhP 120,089 per ha per year or PhP 3.83 per kg as compared to PhP 253,393 or PhP 7.50 per kg for growers in Quezon. It was estimated that for every peso spent on production and marketing of eggplant, growers earned PhP 1.06 in Quezon and PhP 0.27 in Pangasinan. This contrast is attributed to the high production costs particularly pesticide inputs. Among the chain players, farmers got the highest net income while the wholesaler-retailer in Cavite had the higher average net income among the traders if eggplant is sold to restaurants than selling to wholesaler-retailer. Average transport cost constituted 29% of the price margin for Pangasinan traders and 20% for Quezon traders. Inefficiency within the eggplant supply chains in Quezon is very minimal. Causes of spoilage are fruit and shoot borer infestation, blotches and early rotting due to fertilizer residues reacting to heat and moisture inside the plastic bags, poor marketing practices, long hours of travel and high transport costs. The most efficient chain in Quezon was the one leading to Kadiwa Public Market in Cavite participated by grower-assembler-wholesaler-retailer. The least efficient chain was the one leading to Naga City. In Pangasinan, the supply chains leading to Urdaneta City retail markets were the most efficient. The least efficient chain was leading to Batangas and Cavite public markets because of many layers of intermediaries, high transport cost and high spoilage.