Philippines Declares Food Security Emergency as Rice Prices Remain Stubbornly High
MANILA, Philippines — In a bold move to address the persistent issue of soaring rice prices, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has justified the impending declaration of a food security emergency by the Department of Agriculture (DA). Despite multiple government interventions, including tariff reductions and increased imports, rice prices in local markets remain alarmingly high, prompting the governance to take drastic measures.
“The reason that we are doing this is we have done everything to lower the price of rice, but the market is not being allowed to work properly,” Marcos saeid during an interview in Leyte.He emphasized that the normal supply and demand curves are severely disrupted, wiht prices staying elevated even after reducing input costs. “Even if we lower (the prices of) all inputs, the selling (prices) remain high,” he added.
The President attributed the issue to “friction costs” in the market, some of which he described as illegal. “That’s what Congress is investigating now,” he noted.The DA is expected to receive a formal recommendation from the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) for the declaration of a food security emergency by next week.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu laurel Jr. echoed the President’s concerns, stating that there is sufficient basis for the emergency declaration. Despite the imposition of lower tariffs on imported rice and declining global rice prices, local prices have not followed suit. “In my opinion,there was some profiteering,” Tiu Laurel remarked.
Under the newly enacted Republic Act 12078 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act,the DA,upon the recommendation of the NPCC,may declare a food security emergency to address supply shortages or remarkable price increases.
Government’s Plan to Stabilize Rice Prices
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To combat the crisis, the government has outlined a multi-pronged approach. The NFA Council, chaired by Tiu Laurel, plans to sell National Food Authority (NFA) rice stocks to local government units (LGUs), government-owned corporations, and security forces at P36 per kilo. This would allow these entities to retail rice at P38 per kilo.
“By March, we want to sell the NFA rice stocks at P33 per kilo so the LGUs and other participating government units can sell it to the market at P35 per kilo,” Tiu Laurel added.
Meanwhile,a maximum suggested retail price of P58 per kilo for imported rice will take effect on January 20,initially in Metro Manila markets. Current monitoring by the DA shows that imported special rice is still being sold for P65 per kilo,while imported premium rice retails for as much as P58 per kilo. Imported well-milled and regular-milled rice are priced at P54 and P48 per kilo, respectively.
“Even if you don’t eat rice, lower rice prices help stabilize our economy,” Tiu laurel emphasized.
Imported Rice Arrives Amid Record High Imports
The Philippines has already received 39,261 metric tons of imported rice in the first nine days of 2025, following an “all-time high” of 4.87 million metric tons imported in 2024. This influx of imported grains is part of the government’s strategy to boost supply and stabilize prices.
Though, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, as market dynamics continue to defy expectations.
Key Data on Rice Prices and Government Interventions
| Metric | Details |
|———————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Current Retail prices (Metro Manila) | Imported special rice: P65/kg; Premium: P58/kg; Well-milled: P54/kg; Regular: P48/kg |
| NFA Rice Stock Prices | Initial: P36/kg (retail at P38/kg); March target: P33/kg (retail at P35/kg) |
| maximum Suggested Retail Price | P58/kg for imported rice (effective Jan. 20, 2025) |
| 2024 Rice Imports | 4.87 million metric tons (all-time high) |
| 2025 Rice Imports (Jan. 1-9) | 39,261 metric tons |
The Marcos administration’s declaration of a food security emergency underscores the gravity of the situation. As the government ramps up efforts to stabilize rice prices, the coming months will be critical in determining whether these measures can bring relief to Filipino consumers.
For more insights on the state of the rice sector in the Philippines, visit the Philippine Rice Research institute.
Rice Imports Surge as Philippines Grapples with Rising Prices and Food Security Concerns
The Philippines is facing a critical juncture in its rice supply chain, with soaring retail prices prompting discussions about declaring a food security emergency. according to the latest data, the country imported a staggering 3.6 million metric tons (MT) of rice in 2023, with Vietnam dominating the market by supplying 79% of the total imports. This trend underscores the nation’s reliance on foreign rice to meet domestic demand, even as local authorities scramble to stabilize prices and ensure food security.
Vietnam Leads the Charge in Rice Imports
As of January 9, Vietnam accounted for 30,554 MT of rice imports, far outpacing other suppliers like Thailand (4,725 MT), pakistan (3,150 MT), Myanmar (520 MT), and India (312 MT). This dominance isn’t new—Vietnam also topped the list in 2024, supplying 3.6 million MT of rice to the Philippines. Over the past five years, rice imports have steadily increased, from 1.86 million MT in 2019 to 3.83 million MT in 2022,reflecting the growing demand for the staple grain.
| Year | Rice Imports (MT) |
|———-|———————–|
| 2019 | 1.86 million |
| 2020 | 2.1 million |
| 2021 | 2.77 million |
| 2022 | 3.83 million |
| 2023 | 3.6 million |
Rising Prices Spark Calls for Emergency measures
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has raised alarms over the “extraordinary increase” in retail rice prices, which has led to discussions about declaring a food security emergency. DA Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa emphasized that while the country has no shortage of rice, the sharp price hikes are a cause for concern.
“RA 12708 has two conditions which would warrant the declaration of a food security emergency. In terms of supply, we have no problem as the country is flooded with rice. What we saw was the extraordinary increase in price.We certainly know that the DA has made many efforts to bring down the prices (of the staple), but there are markets that really sell to high,” De Mesa said.
NFA’s Role in Stabilizing Prices
The National Food authority (NFA) has traditionally played a crucial role in stabilizing rice prices by releasing its stocks to the market. Though, De Mesa noted that the NFA has lost its authority to sell rice outside of calamity relief operations.“if there will be a declaration of food security emergency, the NFA can now sell rice to LGUs outside the calamity relief operations,” he explained. Currently, the NFA’s warehouses are brimming with rice stocks, and the agency needs to dispose of at least 300,000 MT—equivalent to 6 million bags—to alleviate the price pressure.
“The primary objective is to dispose of the stocks of NFA and eventually help bring down the retail prices of rice,” De Mesa added.
A Temporary solution to a Persistent Problem
While the proposed food security emergency could provide immediate relief, De mesa stressed that it would only be a temporary measure. “If we can address the stocks of NFA and there will be a reasonable reduction in the retail price of rice, we can lift it,” he said.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between ensuring food security and managing market dynamics. As the Philippines continues to rely heavily on imports, particularly from Vietnam, the government faces the dual challenge of stabilizing prices and bolstering local production.
What’s Next for the Philippines’ Rice Industry?
The rising cost of rice has far-reaching implications for Filipino households, many of whom spend a significant portion of their income on food.With the DA and NFA working to address the issue, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the proposed measures can bring lasting relief.for now, the focus remains on reducing retail prices and ensuring that the NFA’s rice stocks are effectively utilized. As the situation unfolds,stakeholders across the supply chain will be watching closely to see how the government navigates this complex challenge.
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Stay informed about the latest developments in the Philippines’ rice industry by following updates from the department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority.
The Philippines is grappling with a meaningful rice supply and pricing crisis, prompting discussions about declaring a food security emergency. Despite efforts to lower input costs and reduce tariffs on imported rice,retail prices remain stubbornly high. president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attributed this to “friction costs” in the market, some of which he described as illegal. Congress is currently investigating these issues.
The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) is expected to recommend the declaration of a food security emergency to the Department of Agriculture (DA) by next week.Agriculture Secretary francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. supported this move, citing sufficient grounds for the declaration. He also pointed to potential profiteering as a factor contributing to the high prices, despite declining global rice prices and reduced tariffs on imports.
Under Republic Act 12078, or the Agricultural Tariffication Act, the DA can declare a food security emergency to address supply shortages or significant price increases.The government has outlined a multi-pronged approach to stabilize rice prices, including selling National food Authority (NFA) rice stocks at subsidized rates to local government units (LGUs), government-owned corporations, and security forces. The goal is to reduce retail prices to P35 per kilo by march 2024.
Additionally, a maximum suggested retail price (SRP) of P58 per kilo for imported rice will take effect on january 20, 2025, initially in Metro Manila markets.This measure aims to curb the high prices of imported rice, which currently range from P48 to P65 per kilo, depending on the variety.
The Philippines has already imported 39,261 metric tons of rice in the frist nine days of 2025, following a record-high import of 4.87 million metric tons in 2024. Vietnam remains the dominant supplier, accounting for 79% of total imports in 2023 and continuing its lead in 2024. Other key suppliers include Thailand, Pakistan, Myanmar, and India.
Key Data on Rice Prices and Government Interventions
| Metric | Details |
|———————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Current retail Prices (Metro Manila) | Imported special rice: P65/kg; Premium: P58/kg; Well-milled: P54/kg; Regular: P48/kg |
| NFA Rice Stock Prices | Initial: P36/kg (retail at P38/kg); March target: P33/kg (retail at P35/kg) |
| Maximum Suggested Retail Price | P58/kg for imported rice (effective Jan. 20, 2025) |
| 2024 Rice Imports | 4.87 million metric tons (all-time high) |
| 2025 rice Imports (Jan. 1-9)| 39,261 metric tons |
The Marcos governance’s efforts to stabilize rice prices and ensure food security are critical as the country faces rising prices and supply challenges. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether these measures can provide relief to Filipino consumers.
For more insights on the state of the rice sector in the Philippines, visit the Philippine Rice Research Institute.
