DA Assures Stable Food Supply Until July Amid Middle East Tensions
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured the public that the country’s food supply will remain sufficient until at least July, despite global uncertainties stemming from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said there is no immediate cause for concern, citing adequate inventories and strong local production.
“Definitely, there’s no issue in supply. I can safely say until June or even July, there will be no issue in the supply of almost everything,” he said in an interview, adding that prices are expected to remain generally stable.
The DA reported steady supply levels for key commodities, including rice, corn, sugar, vegetables, and livestock. This is supported by the ongoing peak harvest season for rice and onions, as well as dry-season vegetable production.
To help stabilize prices and provide affordable options, the DA is expanding the distribution of “Binhi” rice through Food Terminal Inc. and Planters Products Inc..
Currently, “Binhi” rice is being sold at ₱48 per kilo, while rice from Planters Products Inc. is priced at ₱45 per kilo across 36 public markets in Metro Manila. The program is set to expand to other areas, including Metro Cebu, Cebu province, Cavite, and Bulacan.
Tiu Laurel said the initiative aims to give consumers access to reasonably priced, good-quality rice while discouraging profiteering among traders.
Despite stable supply, the DA noted a slight increase in rice prices—around ₱2 per kilo—due to rising freight and transport costs.
Based on DA’s Bantay Presyo monitoring, imported premium rice in Metro Manila currently sells between ₱55 and ₱63 per kilo, while well-milled imported rice ranges from ₱45 to ₱49, and regular-milled varieties from ₱42 to ₱45.
Locally produced premium rice is priced between ₱46 and ₱60 per kilo, while well-milled and regular-milled rice are sold at around ₱45 and ₱40 per kilo, respectively.
The agriculture chief stressed that imported rice should ideally retail between ₱45 and ₱50 per kilo, warning that higher prices may indicate profiteering.
He also revealed that the landed cost of imported rice is around ₱35 per kilo, with an estimated ₱10 margin shared among importers, traders, and retailers.
On the proposed ₱50 per kilo price cap for imported rice, Tiu Laurel said the DA has already submitted its report to the National Price Coordinating Council. A decision is expected after Holy Week, which runs from March 29 to April 5.
NPO News Team - Philippine News Agency - PR
