DA eyes maximum SRP on imported rice

The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to implement a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice to address alleged profiteering.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on "24 Oras," imported rice is selling for as much as P65 a kilo at the Kamuning Market in Quezon City.

Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr. said imported rice should not sell for P60 a kilo.

“[That is] already profiteering in my opinion,” Tiu-Laurel said.

The DA is planning to implement an MSRP before the end of January.

“It is not a suggestion. It is like we are saying na ito dapat ang maximum presyo nyan (this should be its maximum price). But it is not a price cap. We will be coming up with the MSRP system very soon,” Laurel said.

The DA will meet with rice importers, retailers, and other government agencies to implement the MSRP, where it will be imposed, and what will be the liability of violators.

Meanwhile, vegetable prices increased in some markets.

Tomatoes cost P280 to P300 per kilo in Tandang Sora Market in Quezon City. Whereas, one tomato is at P20, which is equivalent to a half kilo of cheap rice.

Some vendors also took fewer supplies of tomatoes from 10 kilos to 2 kilos.

The following are the per kilo prices of produce in Tandang Sora Market:

Potatoes

• P180 current
• P100 before

Carrots

• P200 current
• P120 before

Bell pepper

• P500 current
• P100 before

Onions

• P180 current
• P80 before

Eggplants

• P200 current
• P80 before

The surge in tomato prices was also observed in some provinces due to a lack of supply.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the series of typhoons last year caused extensive damage to crops such as chili pepper, bell pepper and tomato in the reproduction stage.

However, De Mesa said the public can expect that tomato and vegetable prices would go back to normal before the end of January or the beginning of February due to the continuation of production. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/NB, GMA Integrated News