The Department of Agriculture is refining policy measures to stabilize rice and onion prices as retail costs rise despite uneven trends at the farm level.
“The government is actively managing the situation to stabilize the market,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., stressing the need to balance farmer viability with consumer affordability.
Recent market reports showed higher retail prices for rice and onions. While onion farmgate prices have dipped, palay prices have improved following the Dec. 31 lifting of a four-month rice import ban.
In Nueva Ecija, onion growers have blamed imports for low farmgate prices. However, DA inspections of cold storage facilities showed limited stocks of imported onions, suggesting other market factors may be influencing costs.
Onion prices climbed after shipments expected in late December and early January were delayed by overseas transshipment issues and port closures during the Dec. 24 to Jan. 5 holiday period. The department is reviewing options to lift farmgate prices ahead of the local harvest peak in March and April.
Conversely, analysts attributed the increase in rice prices to supply fluctuations and logistical bottlenecks that delayed imports. Tiu Laurel said rice prices are expected to ease by mid-March with the arrival of imports and the start of the harvest season.
To ease supply pressures, the DA is accelerating the rollout of its “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” program in key cities. The initiative provides affordable rice to consumers while supporting farmgate prices for local farmers.
Tiu Laurel said close monitoring and timely intervention will ensure the protection of household budgets without undermining farm incomes and long-term food security.
