2 months ago
14
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
The Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed optimism that consumers would see lower food prices in the coming months, following the anticipated return of food production and supply to normal levels.
During a news forum on Saturday, Jan. 18, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency is forecasting a drop in prices of pork, fish, vegetables, and rice.
For pork, De Mesa said the recent surge in prices is a “continuing effect” of the African Swine Fever (ASF) and the huge demand for the commodity in the last quarter of 2024.
Lower prices, however, are expected by February as hog raisers recover their livestock numbers.
De Mesa said the reopening of the country’s fishing season would likewise lead to a drop in the prices of fishery goods.
“Inaasahan natin itong huling bahagi ng January, February magbubukas na uli iyong ilang areas na nagkaroon ng closed fishing season,” he stated.
(We expect that by the latter part of January or February, some areas that had a closed fishing season will reopen.)
Meanwhile, retail prices of vegetables will likely dip as well in the coming months as agricultural fields recover.
Last year, the agriculture sector was heavily devastated by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon during the early part of 2024, followed by successive typhoons that ravaged the country as the year ended.
Based on reports, the El Niño caused P15 billion in losses to the agriculture sector, while the recent string of storms resulted in damages exceeding P10 billion.
De Mesa pointed out that the downpour in the Bicol region, Calabarzon, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon affected vegetable production, leading to a reduced supply and higher prices.
“So, ngayon naman na tag-init na, ito na iyong panahon na ini-expect natin na sobrang dadami naman uli iyong ating produksiyon,” he added.
(So, now that it's dry season, this is the time we expect our production to significantly increase again.)
Lastly, for rice, the decline in prices in the world market and the imminent declaration of a “food security emergency” are projected to yield lower prices.
“In fact, nitong December ay na-inflation report ng PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) hindi na masyadong malaki iyong cost sa food inflation, in particular iyong bigas kumpara noong previous month,” noted De Mesa.
(In fact, in the December inflation report of the PSA, the cost of food inflation, particularly rice, was not as high compared to the previous month.)
The DA is set to declare a “food security emergency” to help stabilize rice prices in the country by allowing the National Food Authority (NFA) to release buffer stock.
Potential price reductions, as forecasted, are within the P3 to P5 range.
Harnessing Kadiwa
In a bid to lower rice prices even further for consumers, the DA is pushing for the establishment of Kadiwa centers in public and private markets across Metro Manila.
According to De Mesa, the agency recently urged the Metro Manila Council to authorize the development of new Kadiwa stores.
“There are about 150 public and private markets within Metro Manila. So, gusto ni secretary, sa lahat ng 150 na pamilihan, i-allow ang Kadiwa doon (So, the secretary wants Kadiwa to be allowed in all 150 markets),” he said.
“Hinihikayat namin ang mga mayors na payagan na magbenta sa Kadiwa (We are encouraging the mayors to allow selling through Kadiwa),” added De Mesa, noting that Kadiwa stores are only present in 20 markets in Metro Manila.
The Kadiwa program, implemented by the DA, provides the public with affordable goods through farmers’ direct selling of goods to consumers.
Last year, the agency introduced a program offering rice at only P29 per kilo in Kadiwa centers, exclusively sold to the country’s vulnerable sectors.
President Marcos has since ordered the establishment of Kadiwa centers in 300 markets nationwide by the second quarter of 2025.
