Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday expressed optimism that farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) will continue to strengthen as the government approved the rice import ban until the end of 2025. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the Philippine News Agency that the extension took effect on Nov. 1, although the DA is still awaiting the issuance of the final order.

According to Philippines News Agency, in an earlier interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency is expecting to receive a copy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order within the day. ‘Ang main objective nito una, maging matatag ‘yung presyo ng (The main objective, first, is to strengthen the prices of) palay,’ De Mesa said.

Since the import restriction was implemented, farmgate prices of palay have increased to PHP14 per kilogram and in some areas, as high as PHP16 per kg, based on DA monitoring. The prices are notably higher than the PHP8 to PHP10 per kg range recorded at the start of the peak wet harvest season.

The DA said the measure also aims to encourage greater consumption of locally produced rice and support Filipino farmers. ‘Konti na lang din naman ‘yung bigas na imported sa mga tindahan. So, kapag inextend mo pa siya, talagang makita natin halos pa-ubos na siya (The supply of imported rice in retail stores is really thin. So, when it’s extended, it may really be gone) by the end of the year,’ De Mesa said. ‘Baka nga (Perhaps even) before December, paubos na ‘yung imported. Ang maganda naman dito, marami tayong (the supply of imported rice is almost exhausted. What’s good is that here, we have) locally produced rice.’

Despite this, De Mesa said retail prices of imported rice remain generally stable. As of Nov. 1, the prevailing price of premium or 5 percent broken imported rice in Metro Manila is at PHP48.23 per kg, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo (price watch).

The DA earlier vowed to implement stringent market inspections and warned it will issue show-cause orders against retailers who sell at unreasonable price levels. The prevailing price of imported well-milled rice, meanwhile, is pegged at PHP41 per kg and PHP39.55 per kg for imported regular-milled rice. For local rice, the premium variety sells for PHP48.56 per kg, well-milled for PHP42.29 per kg and regular milled for PHP37.15 per kg.