The Department of Agriculture (DA) is thinking about adding a maximum price guideline for imported rice to address worries about possible price gouging in the market.
Recent reports show that imported rice is being sold for as much as P65 per kilogram at the Kamuning Market in Quezon City.
Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. has raised concerns about these prices, saying that rice shouldn’t cost more than P60 per kilogram, as such high prices could be seen as taking advantage of consumers.
The DA plans to have this maximum price guideline ready by the end of January.
Secretary Laurel explained that this guideline will suggest a top price rather than enforce a strict limit.
The department intends to work with rice importers, retailers, and other government agencies to set this maximum price, explain how it will apply, and outline the consequences for those who don’t follow it.
On top of rice price issues, vegetable prices have also gone up in some markets.
At the Tandang Sora Market in Quezon City, tomatoes are priced between P280 to P300 per kilogram, with individual tomatoes costing P20, which is about the same as half a kilogram of cheaper rice.
Some vendors have cut their tomato stock from 10 kilograms to just 2 kilograms because of these high prices.
Here are the current prices for some other vegetables at the Tandang Sora Market:
- Potatoes: P180 (previously P100)
- Carrots: P200 (previously P120)
- Bell pepper: P500 (previously P100)
- Onions: P180 (previously P80)
- Eggplants: P200 (previously P80)
The spike in tomato prices has also been noted in various provinces, which is linked to a supply shortage.
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa explained that rising vegetable prices are due to crop damage from several typhoons last year, which affected the growth of crops like chili peppers, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Despite these issues, De Mesa hopes that prices for tomatoes and other vegetables will stabilize by late January or early February as production picks up.
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