Public to feel slight hike in rice prices amid lean season – DA

MANILA, Philippines — The public may feel a slight increase in rice prices amid the lean season, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA), but the agency assured that prices would not hit P60 per kilo.

DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the prevailing prices in the market for regular-milled rice is around P52 per kilo, almost the same as those for well-milled rice.

De Mesa added that the government is taking action to reel in the price of the staple commodity, including allowing more imports like those from India.

“For now, we’re still far from the P52 going to P60 per kilo. We’re still not seeing prices hitting P60. It’s just a short season, anyway. What’s important is that imported rice will arrive, especially completing those from India,” he said in Filipino over radio dzBB.

The DA official noted that rice prices historically rise around mid-January to mid-February after the end of the wet season, as well as mid-August to mid-September.

“During these periods, we feel that rice prices increase little by little,” he said.

De Mesa said the DA is studying the possible imposition of a suggested retail price (SRP) for rice that is based on the Price Act, but this is still in the early stages.

He added there are still long consultations ahead with various stakeholders, including consumers, farmers, traders and millers.

“This is to compare, to see what the price range will be... It’s hard to say a specific price; it depends on the consultation,” the DA spokesman said.