MSRP for Imported Rice Reduced to P55 per Kilo Starting February 5

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Tuesday a reduction in the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice, lowering it from P58 to P55 per kilogram starting February 5.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa stated during a Quezon City briefing that while this price adjustment initially applies only to Metro Manila, it will expand to a nationwide scope beginning February 15.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel revealed plans to further reduce the MSRP to P52 per kilo by mid-February, with another cut to P49 per kilo two weeks later. “This should reflect the lower global prices of rice and the reduced tariff,” he said.

These adjustments come after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 62 last year, lowering rice tariffs from 35% to 15% until 2028.

The DA will also conduct a monthly review of the MSRP for premium imported rice with no more than 5% broken grains, ensuring profit margins for importers, traders, and retailers do not exceed P10 per kilo. Retailers pricing above the MSRP will be required to justify their rates to authorities.

Secretary Laurel emphasized that imported rice with 25% broken grains should not exceed P50 per kilo.

As of February 1, 2025, DA price monitoring data shows imported commercial rice in Metro Manila selling for P42.11 to P57.03 per kilogram. The agency previously indicated that the MSRP could drop to P49 by March, assuming global rice prices stay within a $530 to $550 per metric ton landed cost for 5% broken rice.