By Stephanie Sevillano.

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) further lowered its maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for 5 percent broken rice in Metro Manila to PHP52 per kilogram from PHP55.

The reduction, effective Feb. 15 under Administrative Circular No. 3, was made due to the declining trend of global rice prices, particularly in India, Thailand and Vietnam.

As of January, the price of 5 percent broken rice from India is set at USD425.4 per metric ton (MT); while Vietnam rice is worth USD416 per MT; and USD458.7 per MT of 25 percent broken Thailand rice, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

In an interview Monday, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the gradual lowering of MSRP grants retailers a leeway to release old stocks bought at a higher price and renegotiate their terms and contracts with traders and importers.

“So, that’s the strategy there. Hindi siya binigla (It was not abrupt). Supposed to be, kaya mo na siyang ibaba, but hindi iyong pinwersa (you can already lower it, but it’s not forced). Just to take into consideration iyong ganong proseso (that kind of process),” he said.

De Mesa said the DA is expecting full compliance with the PHP52/kg MSRP within the next two weeks.

The MSRP for 5 percent broken rice was initially set at PHP58 on Jan. 20; and was lowered to PHP55/kg on Feb. 5, garnering positive reception and compliance from local markets.

The DA aims to bring down the MSRP to as low as PHP49/kg in March.

As of Feb. 15, the prices of imported premium rice range from PHP48/kg to PHP58/kg; and PHP46/kg to PHP61/kg for local premium rice in Metro Manila, according to the DA Bantay Presyo (price watch).

The imported regular-milled rice to imported well-milled rice, meanwhile, ranges from PHP38/kg to PHP46/kg; while the local regular-milled to local well-milled rice are priced from PHP35/kg to PHP54/kg.

The MSRP was originally imposed to help address elevated prices of retail rice despite the lowering of tariffs on imported rice to 15 percent from the previous 35 percent, declining global prices, and stable rice stock inventory in the country.

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority data, the rising rice inflation persisted from July 2023 to November 2024, beyond the government’s 4 percent rice inflation target.

The rice inflation surged as high as 8 percent in August 2023; 17 percent in September 2023; and more than 20 percent across months in 2024.

Besides MSRP on rice, the DA also declared a food security emergency for rice and ensured the availability and accessibility of Rice-for-All options in Kadiwa ng Pangulo centers and kiosks in select public markets and railway stations in Metro Manila. (PNA)

Published Date: February 18, 2025