The Department of Agriculture (DA) will step up market inspections to ensure retailers follow the P43 per kilogram suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice, despite the ongoing suspension of rice imports.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said teams from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) will visit markets where rice price hikes have been reported. Retailers found selling above the price cap may face show cause orders.
The DA assured that rice supply remains ample, citing a surplus of around 2 million metric tons from late 2024 to mid-2025. Assistant secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said letters will be sent to four Metro Manila markets with reported price increases, and site inspections will follow to check compliance.
The government is expected to extend the two-month rice import suspension through December to support local farmers, whose farmgate prices have dropped sharply due to oversupply and weather damage.
Despite tighter supply and increased demand for high-quality imported rice, prices should stay within the P43 MSRP for 5 percent broken rice. The DA noted some imported and local rice still sells as low as P33 to P38 per kilogram.
To help lower-income families, subsidized rice continues to be available through the Rice-for-All program and P20 per kilogram rice sales at Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers and select National Food Authority outlets.
Market monitoring on October 22 showed local well-milled rice priced at P35 to P51 per kilogram, while imported well-milled rice sold for P42 to P46 per kilogram. Special and premium rice varieties were higher but not subsidized.
