Ada Pelonia

FILIPINO consumers may feel the pinch of increased retail rice prices with the government’s plan to raise the tariffs levied on the staple grain to 20 percent, according to economists.

With the uptick in international rice quotations and the depreciation of the peso, Roehlano Briones, a senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), raised a caveat that the increase in rice duties could trickle into retail prices.

“Any artificial increase in rice price is cause for concern,” Briones told the BusinessMirror. “Rather than pay the going price in the world market, we apply an extra tax.”

Executive Director Marie Annette Galvez-Dacul of the University of Asia and the Pacific Center for Food and Agribusiness (UA&P-CFA), however, does not see a “major price spike” in retail rice quotations due to government interventions.

“Rice prices may go up slightly, due to higher global prices, a weaker peso, and higher tariffs,” Dacul told this newspaper.

“It’s a concern, especially for low-income families, but a major price spike is unlikely because local supply is currently adequate and government measures can help control prices,” she added.DA assurance

Meanwhile, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa assured the public of the country’s ample domestic rice output and buffer stocks.

“The tariff increase reflects several realities—the recent depreciation of the peso and the global prices. We are closely monitoring the upward pressure on retail prices,” De Mesa told this newspaper.

“We wish to assure the Filipino consumers that our local harvests and managed buffer stocks remain sufficient to stabilize the national supply,” he added.

Furthermore, De Mesa noted that the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is intensifying market monitoring to prevent any unreasonable price hikes or hoarding.

“We remain committed to balancing the welfare of our consumers with the long-term sustainability of our local rice industry,” he said.

The government is set to implement the increase in rice duties to 20 percent from the current 15 percent on January 16, according to the DA.

However, this comes at a time when the Philippine peso recently plunged to another record low of P59.355 on bets of local monetary policy easing and a stronger greenback.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also noted that global export prices of the staple grain posted increments in December.

In its latest report, the USDA said Thai quotes grew by $15 to $396 per metric ton (MT) amid stronger market demand, while Pakistani quotes jumped $21 to $370 per MT, owing to strong interest from core markets.

Indian quotes also inched up by $8 to $351 per MT, and Uruguayan prices rose $4 to $466 per MT following continued sales to Latin America.

The USDA noted that Vietnamese prices dropped by $2 to $360 per MT, as it reflected below-average sales to the Philippines, its largest market.

Furthermore, US quotes dropped $1 to $552 per MT on weaker sales to Latin America.

Ada Pelonia

Published Date: January 15, 2026