Rice prices may soon rise following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to suspend all rice importation for 60 days starting September 1, 2025, a stakeholders’ group warned.

Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement lead convenor Rowena Sadicon said the reduced supply of imported rice will push demand toward local stocks, driving prices upward. “Kapag nabawasan ang imported rice, tataas naman ang [supply] lokal na bigas… Inaasahan nating tataas ang presyo… Ngayon pa lang may epekto na. Tumaas na ang presyo ng palay,” she said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

Sadicon noted that farmgate prices of palay could climb by P1 to P2 per kilo, which would likely be mirrored in retail rice prices. The increase, she said, is already starting to take effect.

The suspension was recommended by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and announced by the Palace last Wednesday. While the move aims to protect local farmers, the Federation of Free Farmers criticized what it called the government’s delay in putting safeguards in place, saying many farmers are already in debt and losing interest in planting.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the retail price of rice had been on a year-long decline due to base effects and last year’s lower import tariff. In July 2025, prices were significantly lower compared to the same month in 2024—regular milled rice averaged P41.31 per kilo, well-milled at P47.60, and special rice at P56.83.

However, with the import suspension in place, industry watchers say the downward trend could soon reverse.

Published Date: August 10, 2025