Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering the imposition of a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on garlic to prevent possible profiteering, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said. The proposal is part of the DA’s ongoing efforts to stabilize food prices and ensure fair market practices.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tiu Laurel revealed that discussions on implementing an MSRP on garlic were temporarily shelved after the price per kilo dropped to around PHP100, down from a previous high of PHP160. The earlier price was double the estimated landed cost of PHP80 per kilo, raising concerns about potential profiteering.

Currently, imported garlic constitutes 95 percent of the market supply, with a significant portion sourced from China. “Since the price has fallen to around PHP100 a kilo, we had to hold back. I think the current price is reasonable given their cost of around PHP80,” Tiu Laurel commented. He added that an MSRP would be implemented if prices surge again.

The DA is also monitoring egg prices closely to prevent unjustified increases. Tiu Laurel highlighted that rising demand fueled by election spending and increasing chicken mortality due to higher temperatures are affecting price stability. DA monitoring indicates that egg prices range from PHP6 to PHP8, which is below the reported PHP10 to PHP12.

“There are some who are suggesting we implement an MSRP on eggs but, as with other goods like rice and pork, we have to consult stakeholders first so as not to shock the industry,” Tiu Laurel explained.

In related developments, the DA recently reduced the MSRP for imported rice to PHP45 per kilo from PHP49, in response to declining global rice prices. For pork, the DA has set an MSRP of PHP380 per kilo for liempo (belly), PHP350 per kilo for kasim (ham) and pigue, and PHP300 per kilo for sabit-ulo, following discussions with stakeholders across the hog industry. Despite some improvements, the DA noted that compliance with these MSRPs remains below the ideal level.