Rice, vegetable prices to go up following Karding’s onslaught, says DA exec Panganiban

Consumers should brace for higher rice and vegetable prices after Typhoon Karding flattened crop lands in Luzon, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

“Maaring magkaroon ng pagtaas [ng presyo] lalong lalo na sa palay at gulay sapagkat ito’y matinding tinamaan sa Central Luzon,” Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said a public briefing.

(There could be an increase in prices especially rice and vegetables as these were the hardest hit crops in Central Luzon.)

As of Thursday morning, the damage and losses brought by the onslaught of Karding to the farm sector swelled to P2.02 billion, ravaged 150,693 hectares of agricultural lands, and affected 91.944 farmers and fisherfolk. 

Rice is the most affected crop with total value of production loss at P1.66 billion, followed by high-value crops -  vegetables, fruits, legumes, and spices -  at P271.6 million.

With the value and volume of agricultural losses, Panganiban said “maaaring tumaas from 15 to 20% ang ating presyo ng kalakalan sa palengke (prices in the markets could increase from 15% to 20%).”

Data from the DA as of September 28 showed the price of well-milled and regular milled rice are at P40 per kilo and P38 per kilo in Metro Manila markets.

Meanwhile, the prices of some upland vegetables already saw an increase.

In particular, the price per kilo of pechay Baguio increased to P80 on September 28 from P70 on September 27. The price of white potatoes also increased from P70 per kilo to P80 per kilo.

Karding left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, affecting several areas in Luzon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the number of reported fatalities has risen to 11. — RSJ, GMA News