Arthur Fuentes

A worker arranges sacks of rice at a local rice store in Quezon City, October 4, 2023. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has lifted the implementation of mandatory price caps on rice. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recommended the lifting of the mandatory rice price cap due to the decreasing rice prices in local markets and an increased supply of local harvest in the last quarter of 2023.Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Rice sacks

Job Manahan

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – The Department of Agriculture said a “careful balance” is needed between the interests of consumers and producers of rice as the agency seeks higher tariffs on rice imports. </p><p>Agriculture Spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said during the first part of the year, they were able to record the highest palay harvest at 9.08 million metric tons. </p><p>Farmgate prices of palay, he said, were at P11 per kilo, based on data from PhilRice. The gradual raising of tariffs on rice imports would be done carefully, he said, as they plan to increase this between 15 and 35 percent. </p><p>“Gusto natin magkaroon ng careful balance between ating mga consumers at mga producers ng ating mga bigas o mga magsasaka. So dahan-dahan ito, dalawang fold, una from 15 to 25, then eventually from 25 to 35 percent,” De Mesa said in a public briefing. </p><p>The official admitted farmers would not immediately feel the impact. </p><p>“It will take some time bago makarating iyong bigas na imported na mas mataas ang taripa sa ating bansa, while at the same time, inaasahan na rin natin, iyong harvest,” he said. </p><p>“So very important iyong timing, mid-August mag-start na iyong harvest in some parts in Nueva Ecija at magpi-peak iyan ngayong September, October. At napakaimportante rin kasi itong ating parating na harvest season,” he added. </p><p>Suspending rice imports will also have minimal impact when it comes to prices since local farmers were able to harvest 9.08 million metric tons, he said.</p><p>“Plus malaki rin iyong ating importation, plus ang taas din ng stock ng NFA ngayon – nasa 16 percent iyan ayon na rin sa huling datos ng PSA, so makaka-expect tayo na kahit itigil iyong importasyon habang nag-aani, plus ini-expect nga natin mataas iyong harvest natin, hindi ganoon kalaki iyong magiging epekto nito sa mga presyuhan,” he said. </p><p>“Ang magiging epekto nito ay dito sa farm gate price ng ating mga magsasaka, iyon iyong gusto natin na mangyari,” he said. </p><p>Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel earlier said the agency recommended an increase from 15 percent to 20 percent for the first tranche of the tariff hike.  It could be increased further to 35 percent after three months. </p><p>Earlier, the agency said in a joint statement with Presidential Communications Office that it  is recommending an increase in tariffs on imported rice and “a temporary halt to importation to protect local farmers.</p><p>The decrease in rice prices has been a major factor in the slower inflation this year compared to last year. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/4/da-plans-to-recommend-tariff-hike-on-imported-rice-by-35-after-three-months-1907">DA plans to recommend tariff hike on imported rice by 35% after three months</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;TEMPORARY IMPORT BAN, TARRIF INCREASE WILL PROTECT LOCAL FARMERS&#x27; </strong></div><p>The temporary ban on rice imports and increase in tariffs will protect local farmers, as the world produces more rice this year, DA said on Tuesday.</p><p>De Mesa said a temporary ban is being proposed to ensure palay prices will not suffer especially during the harvest season, which commences mid-August.</p><p>The reversal of tariffs will make it harder for importers to bring in more imported rice in the country.</p><p>&quot;Kung walang control sa ganito, patuloy na papasok ang mura at magandang klase ng bigas, ang main effect niyan ay yung sa farmgate price,&quot; De Mesa said.</p><p>(If there is no control, more cheap imports will arrive, lowering farmgate price of palay.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/5/para-hindi-mabarat-ang-local-farmers-ngo-pabor-sa-pagtaas-ng-taripa-sa-bigas-0911">Para hindi mabarat ang local farmers, NGO pabor sa pagtaas ng taripa sa bigas</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-9pyRappGNQ?si=SbHEJUU7azviL3yy" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Department of Agriculture said a “careful balance” is needed between the interests of consumers and producers of rice as the agency seeks higher tariffs on rice imports.</p>

The Department of Agriculture said a “careful balance” is needed between the interests of consumers and producers of rice as the agency seeks higher tariffs on rice imports.

‘Balance’ needed between consumers, producers amid plans to raise rice tariffs: Agri dept

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‘Balance’ needed between consumers, producers amid plans to raise rice tariffs: Agri dept

Job Manahan,

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 05, 2025 04:34 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 05, 2025 05:28 PM PHT

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