Metro Manila, Philippines – Rice prices could rise to as much as ₱62 per kilogram by the September harvest season, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said, citing soaring fertilizer costs.
“In my opinion, rice, dahil ang fertilizer from ₱1,650 aabot ng ₱3,000, so ang rice tataas next harvest season which is September,” Tiu-Laurel told a Senate hearing on Wednesday, April 29.
[Translation: In my opinion, since fertilizer has increased from ₱1,650 to as much as ₱3,000, rice prices will go up by the next harvest season, which is in September.]
He warned that if local farmers do not adopt the Department of Agriculture’s recommendation to use alternative fertilizers, rice prices could climb to up to ₱62 per kilogram, from the current average of ₱50.
“There will still be premium rice and there will be low-cost rice pa rin in the market. Ang sinasabi ko 62 is the already good [The ₱62 I mentioned refers to the higher-quality kind],” he said.
Tiu-Laurel said rice prices were previously around ₱42 per kilogram before the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for energy and fertilizer supplies.
He said the government is implementing measures to prevent a sharp increase in prices, including exploring rice blending — mixing cheaper imported rice with more expensive local varieties.
Another option under consideration is a 50-50 mix of rice and white corn.
Senator Imee Marcos said this practice is already being done in Cebu and other parts of the Visayas, but expressed doubt that consumers in Luzon would accept it.
“Baka magalit yung tao sa amin, manok lang yan pinapakain [People here might get upset — that’s usually fed to chickens],” she said.
“Hindi naman…. I’ve been eating it personally for a week already, tinitimpla namin kung gaano kadaming tubig para malasa at hindi matigas,” Tiu-Laurel responded.
[Translation: Not really. I’ve been eating it myself for a week already. We’re adjusting the water ratio so it tastes good and isn’t too hard.]
