By: Jordeene B. Lagare – Reporter

MANILA, Philippines — The average retail price of rice decreased in early February, even as farm-gate prices for palay or unmilled rice steadily increased.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the retail price of regular milled rice averaged P45.54 per kilogram in the Feb. 1-5 period. This was down 4.7 percent from P47.77 per kg in the same period a year ago.

However, the average retail price was 4.1 percent higher than the P43.76 per kg recorded in the Jan. 15-17 period.

Among the regions, the highest retail price of P50.67 per kg was recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The lowest at P40.29 per kg was seen in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

The statistics agency reported lower prices despite a steady rise in palay prices. 

This followed the temporary rice import ban from September to December last year.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the import suspension lifted palay prices. These have been decreasing due to excessive rice importation in previous years.

“Excess importation undermines the profitability of rice farming by depressing palay prices at harvest time and discouraging production,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement last week.

Influx of foreign grains

The Philippines recorded the highest rice import arrivals of 4.8 million metric tons (MT) in 2024. According to the agriculture chief, this was one million to 1.2 million MT more than what the country needs.

The DA said farm-gate prices declined to around P14 to P16 a kilo in several months last year due to domestic oversupply.

The average palay farm-gate price reached P17.70 per kg in 2025. That is a 24.6-percent jump from P23.48 per kg a year ago, according to the PSA data.

Farm-gate prices averaged P20.10 per kg as of January this year. That was 3 percent lower than the same month last year.

Meanwhile, the PSA said the average retail price of fresh pork liempo stood at P368.95 per kg in early February. That was also lower than the P375.02 per kg year-on-year.

As for tilapia, its average retail price rose by 6.4 percent to P190.12 per kg during the reference period. INQ

Published Date: February 18, 2026