By Jerome Carlo Paunan

MANILA (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday assured rice traders and retailers that the newly implemented 50-peso-per-kilo price ceiling on imported rice provides sufficient profit margins while protecting consumers.

The policy, which enforces a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., applies specifically to 5 percent broken imported rice and will remain in effect for 30 days.

During an inspection at the Paco Public Market in Manila, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said that the price cap was calculated based on landed import costs ranging from 37 pesos to 38 pesos per kilo. 

This cost structure is designed to safeguard consumers from inflated prices while ensuring that market players across the supply chain remain viable.

“At a landed cost of around 37 to 38 pesos per kilo, there is still a workable margin across the value chain,” Tiu Laurel said. 

“We are ensuring consumers get affordable rice while traders and retailers remain viable. The goal is balance, not disruption,” he added.

The DA chief explained that the 50-peso ceiling accounts for a 10-peso markup across the value chain to cover transportation, handling losses, storage, and potential spoilage. 

He emphasized that the measure is intended to stabilize the market during a period of tight global rice supplies and explicitly warned against profiteering.

To support market players during the 30-day implementation period, the DA announced it will deploy field teams nationwide to monitor compliance and help retailers source fairly priced imported rice.

Field personnel will conduct daily and weekly market inspections across the country. 

The department is also distributing instructional pamphlets containing implementation guidelines and contact details to facilitate direct communication between local retailers and agriculture officials.

The temporary price intervention is part of the Marcos Jr. administration’s broader food security program, which seeks to stabilize retail food prices while maintaining a functional agricultural supply chain. (JCO/PIA-NCR)

Published Date: May 21, 2026