MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering implementing a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on garlic to prevent profiteering, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. The proposal had been discussed but was postponed when garlic prices dropped to PHP100 per kilo, down from PHP160, which was twice the estimated landed cost of PHP80 per kilo.
“Since the price has fallen to around PHP100 a kilo, we had to hold back. I think the current price is reasonable given their cost of around PHP80,” Tiu Laurel said. “But if prices spike again, we will definitely implement an MSRP.”
Imported garlic, mostly sourced from China, accounts for 95% of the market supply.
The DA is also monitoring egg prices to ensure they do not rise excessively. Tiu Laurel cited factors like increased demand due to election spending and higher chicken mortality due to rising temperatures. Despite some suggestions to implement an MSRP on eggs, he emphasized that consultations with stakeholders are necessary to avoid disrupting the industry. “There are some who are suggesting we implement an MSRP on eggs but, as with other goods like rice and pork, we have to consult stakeholders first so as not to shock the industry,” he said.
In other developments, the DA reduced the MSRP for imported rice to PHP45 per kilo from PHP49, reflecting a global decline in prices. For pork, the DA set new MSRPs of PHP380 per kilo for liempo, PHP350 per kilo for kasim and pigue, and PHP300 per kilo for sabit-ulo after meetings with industry stakeholders. Although compliance with these price caps has improved, the DA noted that it is still not at the ideal level.