The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said rice supply in the Philippines remains stable even as global fuel and fertilizer prices rise.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. rejected claims that imported rice is being used in the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program. He said the program relies only on rice bought from local farmers through the National Food Authority (NFA), aiming to keep prices affordable while supporting domestic producers.
However, he acknowledged that imported rice could be used in the future if local production drops significantly.
The DA likewise said that higher fuel and fertilizer costs are affecting farmers but said that these are still manageable due to government actions. It also downplayed projections of a possible 20 percent drop in palay (unmilled rice) production, calling them worst-case scenarios.
According to the DA, rice supply remains sufficient, with strong global production from major exporters like India and Vietnam, and nearly full NFA warehouses backed by local harvests. Tiu Laurel assured that there will be no supply problem in 2026.
To help farmers cope with rising costs, the government has launched a P10-billion assistance package, including fuel subsidies and other support. Additional funding of up to P30 billion is also being prepared if needed.
The DA is also promoting alternatives such as biofertilizers to reduce farming costs, while keeping importation as a backup measure to maintain stable supply.
As of April 14, rice prices in Metro Manila ranged from about P43 to P61 per kilo, depending on quality and origin.
