A consumer passes by a rice stall at Kamuning Public Market in Quezon City on March 18, 2025. The Department of Agriculture on Friday (June 13) said prices of retail rice may further dip in the local markets with the target lowering of the maximum suggested retail price of rice for rice and Rice For All (RFA) varieties in July. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
Retail prices of rice may see a further decline in local markets starting next month, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) prepares to implement a lower maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for certain imported rice and adjust the prices of its affordable Rice For All (RFA) varieties.
The DA earlier announced that beginning July 1, the MSRP for 5% broken imported rice will be reduced from P45 per kilo to P43.
In an ambush interview, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said they are also looking to lower the prices of RFA rice by as much as P1 to P2 per kilo in July.
“Retail prices could go down by one to two pesos per kilo,” he said, noting that the exact pricing for RFA varieties will be finalized in discussions next week. The goal is to benefit consumers while still ensuring a fair profit for rice farmers.
Currently, RFA rice is sold at P43/kg for RFA5 (5% broken), P35/kg for RFA25 (25% broken), and P33/kg for RFA100 (100% broken).
“We’re offering discounted rice, but we also have premium varieties that we will sell at a profit—still more affordable than what is usually found in retail markets,” Tiu Laurel added.
Based on DA’s June 11 price monitoring, retail prices in Metro Manila are as follows:
- Imported Rice:
- Premium: P44–P50/kg
- Well-milled: P38–P48/kg
- Regular-milled: P35–P45/kg
- Local Rice:
- Premium: P44–P60/kg
- Well-milled: P38–P52/kg
- Regular-milled: P32–P45/kg
- Prevailing prices: Premium at P50, well-milled at P45, and regular-milled at P40 per kilo.
The DA’s planned adjustments aim to cushion consumers from high rice prices while promoting accessibility through its RFA program.