Move over, crypto: Will more businesses accept onions as payment?

The onion conversation has been rife in the Philippines since last year, as the staple ingredient has seen incredible price hikes, reaching as high as PHP700 (US$12.97) a kilo. Although the government’s recent move to import onions has seen the rates slide — at the expense of farmers — people are still talking about this unlikely luxury good that businesses have decided to capitalize on the onion craze.

Discount store Japan Home Centre first announced that it was accepting onions as payment for its items in its Panay branch for one day only, to the amusement of its loyal customers. More than a mere marketing ploy, the brand plans to use the collected onions from their customers in their community pantry, which distributes staple goods to members of their neighborhood.

More recently, coffee shop SaBaguio also informed its customers that it would make selected drinks such as their Cafe Mocha, Cafe Latte, Strawberry Latte, and Blueberry Latte available through paying with onions, with a kilogram equivalent to three 16-ounce drinks.

The trend was not lost on people online, who found the new fad amusing.

“Onions are the new PH currency,” one commenter wrote.

“Great stunt!” Another one praised.

“Wow, we’re back to the barter trade system,” another observed.

Will this signify a trail of other establishments following suit with this onion currency? Only time will tell.