Philippines : NFA beats traders in buying Bicol farmers’ rice harvest
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Bicol is buying palay at P24/kg for dried and P18/kg for fresh to support farmers. Targeting 700,000 bags in 2025, NFA has purchased 82,000 bags so far. Milled rice is sold to LGUs at P33/kg amid a declared food security emergency.
LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — The National Food Authority is purchasing palay from farmers in the Bicol region at a support price of P24 per kilogram.
This price is competitive compared to the traders’ buying prices, which range from P19 to P23 per kg., according to National Food Authority (NFA) Regional Director Julie Llenaresas.
Llenaresas said the NFA has set its buying prices at P24 per kg for dried palay and P18 per kg for newly harvested palay.
The traders’ prices for fresh palay range from P16 to P16.50 per kg., which is over one peso lower than the NFA’s buying price.
“NFA buying prices are set higher than the current market prices in order to protect our farmers,” said Llenaresas.
She said the NFA regional office (NFA 5) aims to procure 319,200 bags of palay in the first quarter of 2025.
As of March 30, the NFA had purchased 82,000 bags of palay, which are now ready for milling.
“NFA 5 is targeting to acquire 700,000 bags of rice this year, exclusively sourced from farmers in Bicol,” she added.
Llenaresas said the NFA expects higher palay procurement in April, as it coincides with the peak of the harvest season.
The NFA has milling facilities in Masbate, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.
As of the latest update, the NFA has over 5,000 bags of milled rice available for procurement by government agencies and local government units (LGUs) for distribution as food assistance.
Llenaresas emphasized that the NFA is selling its rice stocks to LGUs following the government’s declaration of a food security emergency regarding rice.
The NFA sells rice to LGUs at a price of P33 per kg, allowing the LGUs to sell it to their constituents at P35 per kg. (PIA5)
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Source : PIA
