The maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice will remain in effect during the two-month suspension of rice imports ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Thursday.
“We will maintain the MSRP even during the two-month rice import ban. Throughout the suspension, we will closely monitor supply and market dynamics, especially among retailers, wholesalers, and importers, and take appropriate action to uphold market discipline,” said Agriculture secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
The MSRP for 5 percent broken imported rice was cut from P45 to P43 per kilo on July 16.
President Marcos ordered the suspension of rice importation from September to October to stabilize palay prices, which dropped to as low as P8 per kilo, well below production costs even for the most efficient farmers.
The steep decline has raised concerns over the livelihoods of the country’s estimated three million rice farmers.
Tiu Laurel noted that the suspension period could be shortened or extended depending on price trends and the results of the main harvest in the coming months.
Specialty rice varieties—such as Japanese, black, and basmati—will be exempt from the ban.
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed imported rice arrivals between January and July reached 2.44 million metric tons (MT), with pending sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances covering about 300,000 metric tons.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country consumes roughly 9.8 kilograms of rice per person each month, or 325.5 grams daily.
Under the Rice Tariffication Law, the President has the authority to halt rice imports to protect local farmers and stabilize prices.
The DA said it is ready to adjust policies if supply tightens, ensuring that both farmers and consumers are protected.
