DA Plans Maximum Suggested Retail Price on Imported Rice Amid Profiteering Concerns

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to implement a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice in response to alleged profiteering.

At the Kamuning Market in Quezon City, imported rice is being sold for as much as ₱65 per kilo, prompting Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. to express concern:

“[That is] already profiteering in my opinion. Imported rice should not sell for ₱60 per kilo.”

MSRP Implementation Timeline

The DA aims to enforce the MSRP system by the end of January. Laurel clarified that the MSRP would act as a strict guideline rather than a price cap:

“It is not a suggestion. It is like we are saying, ‘this should be its maximum price.’”

The department will meet with rice importers, retailers, and other stakeholders to finalize the MSRP’s implementation, including its scope and penalties for violators.

Vegetable Price Surge

The DA is also addressing rising prices of vegetables. At Tandang Sora Market in Quezon City, some produce prices have doubled or even quintupled:

• Tomatoes: ₱280–₱300 per kilo (₱20 for a single piece)
• Potatoes: ₱180 (from ₱100)
• Carrots: ₱200 (from ₱120)
• Bell Pepper: ₱500 (from ₱100)
• Onions: ₱180 (from ₱80)
• Eggplants: ₱200 (from ₱80)

Causes and Outlook

The price hikes are attributed to crop damage caused by last year’s typhoons, which affected vegetables like chili, bell pepper, and tomato during their reproductive stages.

Despite the challenges, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reassured the public that prices are expected to normalize by late January or early February as production continues.