Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confidently dismissed concerns over significant price hikes in retail rice, citing the country’s ample supply and the temporary import ban that commenced on September 1.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reassured the public in a phone interview, emphasizing that the nation’s rice inventory remains robust despite the 60-day halt on rice imports, which extends until October 30. De Mesa stated, “We are not expecting sudden spikes na malalaki dahil marami tayong imbentaryo ng bigas (because we have high rice inventory).”
As reported by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Philippines recorded 2.8 million metric tons (MT) of rice import arrivals from January up to August 28. In August alone, approximately 264,000 MT of imported rice entered the country, facilitated by 210 sanitary and phyto-sanitary import clearances (SPSIC) issued over 28 days.
De Mesa highlighted that rice imports arriving in August have not yet been fully processed, with additional shipments expected between November and December. He also noted that local palay (unhusked rice) production achieved a historic high during the dry harvest season, reaching 9.08 million MT in the first half of 2025, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
“We are expecting also a good harvest ngayong panahon na ito (in this season). We are very okay in terms of these numbers. Kung magkaroon man ng presyo na pagtaas siguro kaunti lang hindi iyong (If ever there will be price increases, it will be minimal, not) massive price increases,” de Mesa assured.
The DA has projected that the country will likely achieve at least 11 million MT of palay output for the wet harvest season, with the possibility of surpassing the 11.38 million MT recorded in the second semester of the previous year. De Mesa also mentioned that the prevailing price range of imported rice remains between PHP42 to PHP45 per kilogram based on their recent market watch, with the maximum suggested retail price for 5 percent broken imported rice set at PHP43 per kilogram.
As of August 29, premium imported rice in Metro Manila is priced between PHP42 to PHP52 per kilogram, while local premium rice ranges from PHP42 to PHP60 per kilogram, according to the DA’s Bantay Presyo.
