Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Scenes at the rice section of the Pasig City Mega Market on July 5, 2022. After the Philippine Statistics Authority released its report showing the inflation rate hit 6.1 percent in June, president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disagreed and said that much of the country’s inflation rate was “imported”. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Rice

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175461608865020220705-rice-pasig-market-GC-3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Scenes at the rice section of the Pasig City Mega Market on July 5, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine government&#x27;s upcoming 60-day suspension of rice imports, set to begin on September 1, is raising concerns among local vendors who fear potential shortages and disruptions to their businesses.</p><p>The move, announced by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., aims to protect local farmers who are struggling with low palay prices during the current harvest season, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/6/palace-rice-importation-suspended-for-60-days-from-september-1-0940">Palace: Rice importation suspended for 60 days from September 1</a></div><p>Some rice vendors are worried that their supply of imported rice may not last for the two-month period.</p><p>Imported rice, particularly the Coco Pandan variety priced at P49 per kilo at Kamuning Market, is a popular choice for consumers due to its affordability and quality.</p><p>Javier Villena, a rice vendor, expressed his concerns, noting the consumer preference for imported rice. </p><p>“Itong imported gustong-gusto ng ating consumer dahil mura na maganda pa.” Villena added.</p><p>Meanwhile, consumers are preparing to adapt to the potential shift in the market.</p><p>Several shoppers said they&#x27;ll be more practical and switch to more affordable local rice options if their preferred imported brands run out.</p><p>Local rice varieties are available at prices starting at P38 per kilo.</p><p>Lilybeth Nebril, a buyer of imported rice, explained her choice, saying, “Kasi mura… Kasya sa pera ko.”</p><p>She added that if imported rice becomes unavailable, she will simply purchase local rice. “Yung mas mura pa… Local na… Okay lang hindi naman ako mamimili.”</p><p>Another consumer, Renante Dugang, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Kahit ano na lang siguro dito… okay lang… Kahit ano basta may maisaing okay na yun.”</p><p>The suspension of rice imports comes amid varying prices for other staple goods.</p><p>While vegetable prices have been largely stable since recent storms, with some remaining high, the cost of chicken has seen a notable increase.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong></strong>Here is a breakdown of current market prices:<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>VEGETABLES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Ampalaya is priced at P220 to P240 per kilo, sitaw (string beans) at P20 to P40 per bundle, and repolyo (cabbage) at P140 to P160. </p><p>Carrots remain expensive at P270 to P280 per kilo. </p><p>Baguio pechay is P180 per kilo. </p><p>Onions and garlic are both priced at P170 to P180 per kilo, while tomatoes are at P70 to P80 per kilo.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MEAT AND FISH</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Pork is priced at P480 to P490 per kilo. </p><p>A whole chicken, however, saw an increase from P230 to P250 per kilo. </p><p>Fish prices also saw a slight increase, with bangus (milkfish) rising by P20, from P220 to P240 per kilo. </p><p>Small tilapia starts at P160, and galunggong is at P280 per kilo.</p><div><br/></div><p>The coming months will test the resilience of local rice supplies and the adaptability of consumers as the government prioritizes domestic farmers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/7/rice-import-pause-halt-won-t-lead-to-price-hikes-depdev-1556">Rice import pause halt won’t lead to price hikes: DEPDev</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3I3LGEpXBo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A rice vendor has expressed his concerns, noting the consumers' preference for imported rice.</p>

A rice vendor has expressed his concerns, noting the consumers' preference for imported rice.

'Mas mura ang imported': Rice vendors express concern over import suspension

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'Mas mura ang imported': Rice vendors express concern over import suspension

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 08, 2025 09:24 AM PHT

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Rice

Import

Market prices

Primary Commodities

Kamuning Market

Quezon City

Consumer

palengke

bigas

ANC

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