Senior Science Research Specialist, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), CLSU Compound, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, 3120, Philippines
The study aimed to analyze the market of minimally processing (MP) onions in the country by identifying the available MP onion products in the market, describing and segmenting the potential markets with its purchasing behavior as well as its requirements and its effect to the demand and supply of MP onions. Results revealed that MP onion shallots, yellow and red bulb products were available in the market and were demanded by the food industrial sector. Market segments were the meat processors, snack-food manufacturers, fast-food restaurants and households. Meat processors and fast-food restaurants preferred MP yellow bulb onions. The former used it for the canned and ready-to-eat products while the latter for the quick-serving food such as burgers, pizzas, pasta, and the like. The snack-food manufacturing group utilized MP shallots as raw materials for their product flavorings. They further processed it into onion powder and oil as seasonings for their biscuits and instant noodle products. Market segments with cold storages procured in weekly or monthly while daily for households. Meat processors and fast-food and restaurants required 994mt and 2,500mt of MP yellow bulb onions, respectively while snack-food manufacturing companies need around 2,700mt of MP shallots. Supply of MP yellow bulb onions was short by 95 percent while at present MP shallots supply was just enough. With the growth of the food industrial institutions the demand for MP onion products will continue to soar posing a market potential for the onion industry.