The prices of imported rice have dropped by an average of P5 per kilo, based on the latest monitoring by the Department of Agriculture-Provincial Agricultural Technology Office (DA-PATCO) in Negros Oriental.
DA-PATCO Negros Oriental head Bernard Limbaga told the Philippine News Agency April 14 that the average price of imported rice, as of the last week of March, was down to P60/kg from P65.
“Commercial rice traders here have plenty of supply of imported rice and have flooded the local market in this capital,” Limbaga said.
Local premium rice is more expensive than imported premium at an average of P70/kg.
Limbaga attributed this to operational costs during harvest and higher transport fees for rice bought from other areas, such as Isabela and nearby Mindanao areas.
The price adjustment of imported rice comes as the DA is eyeing a recommended price cap of P50 a kilo by the end of the month.
The National Price Coordinating Council is set to submit the recommended price cap to the Office of the President.
Meanwhile, the DA-PATCO said the supply of corn is further dwindling, with many areas no longer selling the staple.
Limbaga said that before the war, the price of corn grits was at its lowest at P36/kg, but price has gone up to P57/kg.
As planting season starts in May, corn may not be available in the market for a few months until the next harvest season.
Negros Oriental has a 35-percent sufficiency level of corn, meaning that for every 100 people, only 35 can be fed with the staple.
On the other hand, the province has a 45-percent rice sufficiency, hence, the need to procure rice from other provinces, Limbaga said. ||
