Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the ongoing temporary import halt of 5 percent broken rice has contributed to advancing reasonable farmgate prices for local palay (unhusked rice). This development comes as the Philippines enters the wet harvest season, with several regions beginning to sell fresh and wet palay.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa emphasized during a press briefing that this measure provides local rice a 'fighting chance' in retail markets. 'Hindi ina-allow ngayon, nagsabi na rin ang BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry) na ang ina-allow ay 25 percent pataas,' he stated, indicating that only rice with 25 percent broken grains and above is permitted for import.
As of September 3, the Bureau of Plant Industry recorded the arrival of 3.67 million metric tons of imported rice. In July, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged industry stakeholders to temporarily halt the importation of 5 percent broken rice. This strategy has helped maintain reasonable farmgate palay prices, despite a price drop during the wet harvest season in 2025.
Assistant Secretary De Mesa noted that the absence of 5 percent broken rice in local markets has given farmers an advantage in securing market preference for local rice at fair prices. He stated, 'Despite na hindi nagbawal ng importasyon pero dahil wala na iyong 5 percent na broken sa merkado, mas may laban yung ating magsasaka na lalo pang tangkilikin yung ating local rice sa tamang presyo.'
Currently, farmgate prices of wet and fresh palay range from PHP17 to PHP19 per kilogram in some areas. The DA has previously announced that the National Food Authority will purchase fresh and wet palay at PHP21 per kilo as part of its procurement for the national rice buffer stock.
