Rice prices to stay stable despite lean season

The Department of Agriculture (DA) last week allayed fears of a spike in rice prices, assuring the public that both imported and locally produced rice will remain stable even as the country enters the lean months.

Speaking at a press conference, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said there is no expected surge in retail prices, citing a strong local harvest and the government’s decision to resume rice importation after a four-month ban.

“Wala namang inaasahang mataasang pagtaas kasi naging maganda naman ‘yung (There’s no expected high uptick of prices because we have a good) production,” De Mesa said.

He noted that the robust palay harvest in 2025 helped keep total rice imports at 3.37 million metric tons (MMT) while the ban was in effect—significantly lower than the record 4.8 MMT recorded in 2024.

With importation now resumed, De Mesa said additional imported rice is expected to reach local markets within the month, helping stabilize supply and prices.

Based on the DA’s Bantay Presyo monitoring as of Wednesday, premium or 5-percent broken imported rice in Metro Manila averages ₱50 per kilo, with prices ranging from ₱45 to ₱56 per kilo. Imported well-milled rice is selling at ₱47 per kilo, while imported regular-milled rice is priced at ₱42 per kilo.

For locally produced rice, prevailing prices are ₱50 per kilo for premium varieties, ₱45 for well-milled, and ₱40 for regular-milled rice.

De Mesa added that the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has released updated guidelines on rice importation to protect both farmers and consumers.

“Effective Jan. 1, nag-start na uli ng importation pero may mga selected ports of entry lang para mabantayan nang husto (the importation has already started, but only in selected ports of entry to ensure stringent monitoring),” he said.

Authorized ports of entry include Subic, Batangas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Davao, General Santos, Tacloban, Tabaco (Albay), Zamboanga, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Calbayog, the Manila International Container Port (MICP), and the Port of Manila. Under BPI rules, all imported rice shipments must arrive within 60 days from the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs).

Meanwhile, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency may revise the current maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of ₱43 per kilo for 5-percent broken imported rice in light of currency movements and higher tariffs.

“Alam naman natin na nag-devalue tayo yesterday to ₱59.33, then kung ganiyan pa rin ang exchange rate by Jan. 16, plus the 5 percent increase (tariff on imported rice), malamang mag-isyu tayo ng new MSRP na (We know that our peso devalued to ₱59.33 to the dollar. If the same exchange rate remains by Jan. 16, plus the 5 percent tariff increase, we will probably issue a new MSRP of) ₱45 per kilo to address the reality,” Tiu Laurel said during a Palace briefing.

He added that the tariff council has approved raising the tariff on imported rice to 20 percent from the current 15 percent, with the adjustment set to take effect on Jan. 16.