The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned the public about scam groups offering fake rice-import “allocations,” particularly in Cebu.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the forms circulating among rice millers, traders, and importers falsely promise December import slots and future participation in a so-called 2026 food security program.
He stressed that the rice-import moratorium remains in place until December 31 under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect farmers, calling the offers “fake news” and a scam.
According to the DA, the import freeze initially helped raise palay prices in provinces like Isabela and Nueva Ecija from about ₱8 per kilo to ₱13–₱14, though prices softened again as the harvest season peaked, prompting the extension of the ban.
As of November 30, prevailing Metro Manila prices stood at ₱43.80 per kilo for local well-milled rice, ₱38.38 for local regular milled, ₱43.75 for imported well-milled, and ₱40.75 for imported regular milled.
Imported premium rice was priced at ₱50.25 per kilo and imported special varieties at ₱60.67, while local premium and special varieties sold for ₱48.97 and ₱57.18, respectively.
All prices reflect regular market rates and are not subsidized.
