Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday that it is exploring the possibility of 'strategic importation' of carrots and the imposition of a price cap for carrots, pork liempo (belly), and palm-based cooking oil. This initiative comes in response to rising prices of these commodities in the local markets amid the ongoing energy emergency in the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained that the strategic importation of carrots is necessitated by the current tight supply. He indicated that the importation would be focused on areas experiencing shortages, including Metro Manila and Cebu. The DA plans to continue allowing imports until July to bridge the existing supply gap in local markets. Last month, the DA imported a small volume of 1,000 tons of carrots to stabilize the market, but prices remained high. For May and June, approximately 2,500 tons will be imported, with a slight reduction expected in July.

As of Monday, carrot prices in Metro Manila range from PHP80 to PHP190 per kilo, slightly up from PHP70 to PHP150 per kilo on February 26, before tensions escalated in the Middle East.

In addition to carrot importation, the DA is considering a price cap on carrots, pork liempo, and palm-based cooking oil. Tiu Laurel highlighted that the local pork liempo price should be around PHP380 per kilogram instead of the prevailing price of PHP420. Currently, pork liempo prices range from PHP330 to PHP480 per kilo in Metro Manila.

For palm-based cooking oil, prices for a 350-milliliter bottle range from PHP34 to PHP40, while a liter costs between PHP75 and PHP115. Additionally, Tiu Laurel mentioned that a price cap on imported rice will be introduced soon, and local rice retailers may receive guidance on the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for well-milled rice.

The DA Bantay Presyo reports that premium imported rice in Metro Manila is priced at PHP55 to PHP63 per kilo, imported well-milled rice at PHP48 per kilo, and imported regular-milled rice at PHP42 to PHP43 per kilo. Local premium rice prices range from PHP50 to PHP62 per kilo, with local well-milled rice priced at PHP45 to PHP57 per kilo, and regular milled rice at PHP35 to PHP55 per kilo.