DA lowers imported rice price to PHP45/kg by March 31; pork prices drop

The Department of Agriculture plans to lower the suggested retail price for imported rice to PHP45 per kilogram by March 31 due to declining global rice prices and a stronger peso.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro disclosed that pork prices are also expected to drop by March 10, with kasim and pigue priced between PHP350-P360/kg and liempo at PHP380/kg.

Castro noted that international rice rates have dropped to around USD400 per metric ton compared to previous levels of USD700-740 per ton, contributing to the price decrease.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez called on lawmakers and poll candidates to visit their districts to check if rice grains are available and affordable, emphasizing that each grain is important to Filipino families.

Romualdez urged lawmakers to ask local stakeholders about the availability and affordability of rice without affecting farmers' income.