NFA “stabilizing” rice prices

CEBU, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) is intervening to keep prices from soaring by releasing well-milled rice sold at cheaper rates.

NFA-7 Spokesperson Lucy Rosales said they have been distributing well-milled rice (middle rice) in major markets in Cebu City since last month.

This was made to prevent prices from skyrocketing and would be continued until the price of rice is stabilized.

The food agency introduced the well-milled rice to provide the public an opportunity to buy rice of higher quality. 

This follows after prices of commercial rice were monitored to have increased by at least P1 per kilo, despite the start of harvest season.

NFA rice are sold at lower prices compared to commercial rice varieties that are currently available in the market.

Its regular rice is still priced at P27 per kilo while the middle rice is sold at P32 per kilo.

Rosales said the public has nothing to be alarmed of because while it is already harvest season, not all rice production areas are done gathering their rice yields supply is expected to rise.

“Eventually, prices will go down kay harvest season na man ta (already). Unsaon pa man sa mga rice traders ilang mga bugas kung magsigi sila ug pasaka sa presyo nga (Why would rice traders continue to raise prices when it is already) harvest season na man?” Rosales said.

She added that an increase in prices in Central Luzon, a rice production area, would have a domino effect in Central Visayas, which is not a rice-producing region.

“Other factors have (also) contributed nganong nisaka ilang presyo (to the price increase), such as increase in the prices of fuel. Naapektuhan sad sila og (They were also affected by) two typhoons,” she further said.

A total of 1,052,000 bags of Vietnam rice have arrived in Cebu City in staggered shipments last month as part of this year’s government rice importation for buffer stock. (FREEMAN)