Despite the Philippines being the world’s largest rice importer, with at least 3.29 million metric tons brought in, retail prices of rice remain high, according to the rice watchdog group Bantay Bigas.
Cathy Estavillo, spokesperson for Bantay Bigas, criticized the government’s reliance on imports from countries such as Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, India, China, Japan, Cambodia, Italy, and Spain.
She argued that the Rice Liberalization Law, introduced by President Marcos, along with Executive Order No. 62 which reduced rice import tariffs from 35% to 15%, negatively impacts Filipino farmers.
“Importation is not a solution; it hasn’t benefited consumers and has weakened the country’s self-sufficiency and food security,” Estavillo said.
Farmers have been hit by falling farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) due to the National Food Authority’s failure to buy directly from them, leaving traders to control rice prices.
Based on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) monitoring in Metro Manila markets, imported regular milled rice is sold at up to P48 per kilo, well-milled rice at P55 per kilo, premium rice at P60 per kilo, and special rice at P65 per kilo.
Estavillo also announced that a nationally coordinated farmers’ protest would take place today.
Tomato price surge
Meanwhile, tomato prices in Metro Manila have soared to P200 per kilo due to the damage caused by Super Typhoon “Enteng,” according to the DA.
Just days ago, tomatoes were priced as high as P180 per kilo, a sharp increase from the pre-typhoon range of P55 to P90 per kilo.
Other essential food items have also seen price hikes, with siling labuyo (chili) reaching P450 per kilo, ginger at P300 per kilo, and bell pepper at P360 per kilo. Round scad (galunggong), once considered an affordable fish for the poor, now sells for up to P340 per kilo.
Egg supply stable
In contrast, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) reassured consumers that egg supplies remain stable despite rising demand during the holiday season.
PEBA president Francis Uyehara stated that farmgate prices of eggs are steady between P7 and P7.50 per piece, with retail prices ranging between P8 to P9.
“We’ve observed retail price increases, but production continues to grow as we approach December. The pricing, however, depends on supply and demand,” Uyehara said.
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