Food supply sufficient until after holidays

MANILA, Philippines — The country has sufficient supply of rice and meat products until after the Yuletide season, according to the Department of Agriculture.

DA Undersecretary Asis Perez yesterday said that pork supply can last up to 170 days after Dec. 31, and poultry products and rice for 125 and 85 days, respectively.

“We’ve never been so secured in terms of food. The DA is very much on top of the situation. In fact, it’s not the DA alone, but the private sector also did very well,” Perez said. “If there is an excess, prices will be affected. We have to strike a balance along that line.”

Perez urged people to consume more, noting there has been a decline in consumers’ purchasing activities.

He said prices of rice for this year have been “corrected.” Figures in 2025 showed low prices, resulting in financial losses to farmers.

Perez cited the rising cost of fuel and fertilizer for the price spike and said that the DA is helping farmers cope with the situation.