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DA sets NFA rice price at P35/Kilo to address food security emergency

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has set the price of National Food Authority (NFA) rice at P35 per kilo, lower than the initial estimate of P38 per kilo, as part of government’s response to the declared food security emergency.

The NFA will release at least 150,000 metric tons of rice—half of its 300,000 metric-ton buffer stock—over the next six months to stabilize market prices. This move supports the National Price Coordinating Council’s (NPCC) goal of returning rice prices to pre-July 2023 levels, before supply disruptions led to sharp increases.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the price of well-milled rice currently averages P45 per kilo. The surge in rice inflation began in August 2023, following India’s ban on non-basmati rice exports. This prompted aggressive rice procurement by countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, further tightening global supply. Despite policy interventions, such as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to lower rice tariffs from 35% to 15% in July 2024, and improved global supply conditions, local rice prices have remained high.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed that the food security emergency will also decongest NFA warehouses in preparation for the upcoming harvest season. He added that NFA must increase its buffer stock from 9 to 15 days under the law. With palay prices this year—averaging P21 to P23 per kilo compared to P27 per kilo in 2024—the agency can purchase more from local farmers, ensuring both supply stability and farmer welfare.

The NPCC, chaired by Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, issued the resolution for the food security emergency under the amended Rice Tariffication Act, which took effect in December 2024. ###

Read more on da.gov.ph
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