A farmers' group is wondering where the current price of rice came from given that the country had harvested enough rice.

During an interview with DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said that rice dealers' reason for increasing the price is due to a lack of supply.

"Nagtataka tayo bat ang bilis bilis. Ang taas masyado yung itinaas ng bigas given na may ani tayo netong nagdaang anihan noong March, April, May, tapos umabot na ng 1.9 million metric tons ang ating naimport," Estavillo noted.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and dealers, one of the reasons for the price increase is the effects of climate change and Typhoon Egay.

Servillo, however, said there were still rains to help produce more harvests, adding that other farmers' groups and even DA have confirmed that there will be harvests from September until November.

"Para sa bantay bigas itong nangyayareng ito ay may price manipulation, ginamit nila yung statement ng India na talagang magninipis yung supply sa world market, isang dahilan pinakapuno't dulong batayan kung bakit nagkaroon ng price manipulation sa hanay ng mga dealers, traders, and syempre importers," the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Estavillo clarified that under Republic Act No. 11203, the DA has no power to control and investigate the products' fluctuations.

Based on reports, 56 pesos per kilo is the current standard price of rice in local markets.