Rice price hike looms as farm gate costs increase —groups

Retailers are struggling to maintain rice prices amid a looming increase due to the rise in farm gate prices.

According to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the farm gate price of rice increased by P40 to P50 per sack — equivalent to P0.80 to P1 per kilo increase for consumers.

“Hindi naman kami pwede magtaas sa customer dahil ang mga customer wala nang sinabi, ang mahal naman bakit nagtataas pa kayo. Hindi naman kami ang nagtaas, yung supplier. Dati pa rin yung benta namin, nagtitiis na lang kami,” Marideth Caña, a rice retailer, said.

Farmers’ group Samahan ng Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) explained the price hike stemmed from the country’s low rice output this month and the growing global demand for imported rice.

“P2 [ang total increase], pero sa ngayon P1 ang increase. Another P1 sa tingin natin sa susunod na linggo... Factor is ‘yung farm gate price from P21, tumaas ng P21.50, tumaas pa sa P22,” said SINAG President Rosendo So. “Imported rice from P1,800 per bag, naging P2000 per bag.”

Bantay Bigas, for its part, said they had been expecting the price increase since last year.

“Alam naman natin na yung pagtaas ng bigas ay dictated talaga ng mga importers. Mga retailers kasi wala namang magagawa. Yung gobyerno dahil wala rin naman siyang hawak na bigas na ilabas sa palengke,” said Bantay Bigas Spokesperson Cathy Estavillo.

Several farmers called on the government to support farmers and provide additional subsidies for fuel, and seeds. They likewise staged a rally in front of the DA offices to protest against the rising prices of basic commodities.

“Suportahan natin ang magsasaka. Ibigay ang pangangailangan tulad ng fertilizer, binhi, para walang gaanong gastos,” a farmer said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said they are monitoring the rice prices.

“‘Pag dry season crop kasi eh talagang mahal po yan. Nag-aagawan po yung mga traders natin. Ito naman ay na-monitor natin at kausap lang natin yung ibang mga organization na involved dito at may sinasabi po tayo na kung tataas ang presyo, nag monitor tayo sa ating mga pamilihan... P38 pa rin po ang pinakamababang presyo, na yan po ay normal na presyo po naman,” said DA Spokesperson Rex Estoperez. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News