Philippines-DA: Palay prices up in some areas after Marcos announced rice import ban
Palay prices in six of 13 key rice-producing regions have risen 0.3%–2.6% a week after President Marcos announced a two-month rice import ban starting September 1, 2025, the Department of Agriculture said. Prices still vary sharply, with Cagayan Valley at ₱14.43/kg and BARMM at ₱21.67/kg.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Saturday it has observed an increase in the farm gate prices of palay or unhusked rice a week after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced a two-month suspension of rice importation starting September 1, 2025.
In a statement, the DA, citing data from the National Food Authority (NFA), said farm gate prices—the prices received by farmers for the sale of their crops before transportation, handling, and marketing costs are added—have begun to rise in six of the 13 key rice-producing regions.
Based on the NFA monitoring, traders’ buying prices for dry palay has increased by 0.3% to 2.6%—before Marcos ordered the import ban—in Central Luzon (which includes major producer Nueva Ecija), Bicol, Central Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
The DA said average prices ranged from P16.98 per kilogram in Central Luzon to P20.59 in Southern Mindanao, while prices were held steady at P16.52 in Southern Tagalog and P17.60 in Western Visayas.
However, prices dropped sharply in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and BARMM, with the lowest at P14.43 per kilo in Cagayan Valley and the highest at P21.67 in BARMM.
Marcos: P20 rice program expanding nationwide P20/kilo rice, farm to market roads remain workin progress Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government is closely monitoring market reactions to the impending import ban, which was ordered after reports showed palay prices dropping as low as P8 per kilo—well below the estimated production cost of around P12 per kilo for the most efficient farmers.
“If palay prices remain low during the ban, we may consider extending it, or recommend that President Marcos increase tariffs. And if prices of palay rise, we could shorten the ban,” said Tiu Laurel.
Global rice prices have fallen significantly this year compared to 2024 due to India lifting its export ban on non-basmati rice last September, bumper harvests in major exporting countries, weaker demand from importers, and reduced tariffs —factors which have encouraged importers to buy more rice from countries like Vietnam.
In April and May, importers brought in nearly 970,000 metric tons of rice, almost three months’ worth of consumption, despite record palay harvests.
The Philippines’ palay output reached a record 9.08 million metric tons in the first half of 2025, supporting the Department of Agriculture’s goal of an all-time high production level of 20.46 million tons this year.
“The objective of the import ban is to allow the price of palay to be at a level that will give the farmers income, and the steady rise of palay price is a relief. We just hope that the other players in the industry will do their share by not taking advantage by spreading speculations,” said NFA Administrator Larry Lacson. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Source : GMA
