IN a bid to balance the interests of both producers and consumers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has formally adopted a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of P53 per kilogram for locally produced rice.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the measure on Tuesday, noting that the rate was agreed upon following consultations and discussions with key players across the rice industry value chain. The pricing guideline is designed to ensure that farmers receive fair returns for their produce while keeping staple food costs within reasonable reach for Filipino households, especially amid ongoing movements in the prices of agricultural commodities.
Tiu Laurel was quick to clarify, however, that the P53 rate serves only as a reference point and does not function as a mandatory price ceiling or cap. “It’s just a guide for consumers on fair local rice prices,” he emphasized, explaining that the government is not prohibiting traders or retailers from selling at lower prices if market conditions allow.
According to the Secretary, industry stakeholders including millers, traders, and retailers have expressed acceptance of the amount, recognizing that it still allows everyone in the supply chain to earn appropriate margins without excessively burdening the buying public.
This new guideline places local rice slightly above the price set for imported grain, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a P50 per kilo cap on imported 5% broken rice effective May 14 for an initial period of 30 days.
The DA revealed that a formal memorandum detailing the SRP will be released shortly, while full enforcement and monitoring of the price cap on imported rice will commence next week to give businesses and customers ample time to adjust to the new policy landscape. By distinguishing between a non‑mandatory SRP for local supply and a regulated cap for imports, the government aims to stabilize the market while protecting the viability of domestic agriculture.
