The National Food Authority (NFA) said the temporary increase in its palay purchases will not affect retail rice prices.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the agency raised its palay buying price to ₱30 per kilo in selected areas to help farmers cope with rising cost of fuel and fertilizer. The previous prices were ₱17 per kilo for fresh palay and ₱21 per kilo for dry palay.
Lacson explained that the higher buying price is meant to support farmers during the upcoming planting season and help them cover higher production expenses. He also said the NFA set the new price to stay competitive with private traders.
He added that only legitimate farmers registered under the government’s agriculture database or those certified by local agriculture offices will be allowed to sell to the NFA. Buying stations will also have monitoring desks to ensure transparency in procurement.
The NFA said its rice stocks are mainly used for buffer supply during emergencies and to support the government’s P20-per-kilo rice program, which aims to make rice more affordable for consumers.
Despite the higher palay buying price, the agency said retail rice prices remain driven by the market. Based on recent data in Metro Manila, rice prices range from about ₱43 to ₱61 per kilo, depending on type and quality.
The NFA emphasized that the policy is designed to balance both sides—providing better income for farmers while helping keep rice prices within reach for consumers.
