The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) on Sunday, March 17, said rice products are expected to decrease in April, with prices ranging from ₱45 to ₱48 per kilo.
PCAFI President Danilo Fausto attributes the lowering of rice prices to lowering the sale of palay (cereal grain) which are ₱23 to ₱25.
"Kapag kinuha mo ng ₱25 o ₱23 [ang palay], ang puhunan ay papasok ng mga ₱36 to ₱38. Makabebenta pa ng bigas sa ₱45 hanggang ₱48, bababa ng below ₱50 yung regular and well-milled. So, ayun ang aasahan natin," he said.
Danilo Fausto, President, Phil. Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.: Noong nakaraang linggo, nag-usap-usap daw ang traders at millers na 'wag nang bumili ng P25 o P26 at P22 o P23 na lang ang ibili.#DZRHStories#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 17, 2024
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He mentioned that the harvesting season which began this month will also contribute to the lowering of rice prices.
"Kapag nagkapunuan na ng kamalig, bababa na ang presyo," Danilo said.
Data from the agriculture department's Weekly Bantay Presyo on local commercial rice in Metro markets showed that the weekly average price of special rice is ₱61 per kilogram, premium rice at ₱55/kilo, well-milled rice at ₱51/kilo, and regular milled rice at ₱49/kilo.
"Kapag nag bente tres iyan, tingin ko within ₱48 ay makakabili na tayo ng bigas. Sa ngayon kasi, noong nakaraang linggo ay ₱50 to ₱52. Hopefully, baba na siya below ₱50," the PCAFI president remarked.
