By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The country’s food supply will remain sufficient until July despite uncertainties caused by the conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday, easing fears of price increases.
“Definitely, walang issue sa supply. I can safely say hanggang June or even July, walang issue sa supply of almost everything (there’s no issue in supply. I can safely say that until June or July, there will be no issue in the supply of almost everything),” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in an interview.
“So, in general, prices should remain stable at this time.”
Stable supply, backed by sufficient inventories, is assured for rice, corn, sugar, vegetables, and livestock.
The country is at the peak harvest season for rice and onions, alongside the dry-season harvest and planting of vegetables.
Tiu Laurel also disclosed plans to expand sales of the cheaper “Binhi” rice in select public markets under Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI).
The initiative aims to provide cheaper rice options and curb profiteering by unscrupulous traders.
“That’s why we have launched the Planters Product, Inc. (PPI) rice and Binhi. It’s being sold now at PHP48 per kilo, the Binhi, while the PPI rice is at PHP45 per kilo in 36 markets in Metro Manila,” Tiu Laurel said in mixed English and Filipino.
Beyond the 36 Metro Manila markets, the DA plans to expand availability to Metro Cebu, Cebu province, Cavite, and Bulacan, among others.
“It’s just an option for the people, and para makita nila na ito imported din, maganda din, ito lang ang dapat na presyo (so that they can see that these are imported and of good quality and are only sold at these price levels),” Tiu Laurel said.
Retail rice prices are being closely monitored amid rising logistics costs.
“Of course, may konting taas na nakikita almost PHP2 per kilo dahil sa freight, transport cost ng lahat tumaas naman (there’s a minimal increase of almost PHP2 per kg. due to freight and transport cost, everything has increased), as we all know,” Tiu Laurel said.
According to DA Bantay Presyo, as of Wednesday, premium imported rice in Metro Manila sells for PHP55 to PHP63 per kilo.
Imported well-milled rice ranges from PHP45 to PHP49 per kilo, while regular-milled rice is priced at PHP42 to PHP45.
Local premium rice ranges from PHP46 to PHP60 per kg., while well-milled and regular-milled rice are priced at PHP45 and PHP40 per kg., respectively.
“Dapat ang imported nasa PHP45 to PHP50 iyan, anything above that is, tingin ko, is profiteering talaga and taking advantage (Imported rice must only range from PHP45 to PHP50. Anything above that, for me, is profiteering and taking advantage),” he said.
He added that the landed cost of imported rice is about PHP35 per kg., with a projected PHP10 margin for importers, traders, and retailers.
On the proposed PHP50 per kg. price cap for imported rice, Tiu Laurel said the DA submitted its report to the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) on Wednesday.
He said progress on the proposal is expected after Holy Week, from March 29 to April 5. (PNA)
