DA: RFA25 rice variety at P38 per kilo to take effect Jan 17
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said the price of its Rice-for-All 25 (RFA25) will drop from P40 to P38 per kilogram starting Friday.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the price cut precedes the P58 per kilogram maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) implementation for 5 percent broken imported rice effective Monday, January 20.
The RFA25 rice variety is available at Kadiwa centers and kiosks nationwide, along with the RFA5, which is 5 percent broken rice, priced at P45 per kilogram; and the RFA100, also known as “Sulit Rice”, priced at P36 per kilogram.
READ: DA: More, cheaper rice options available at Kadiwa ng Pangulo
According to the DA, the MSRP will initially be implemented in Metro Manila markets and reviewed monthly to reflect global price fluctuations and tariff rates.
Article continues after this advertisementThe agency also said it will enforce a stricter suggested retail price framework should imported rice prices frequently exceed the MSRP, with corresponding fines and penalties for violations.
Article continues after this advertisementTiu Laurel further explained that the MSRP framework allows sellers to earn around P10 per kilogram on top of the imported rice’s landed cost, or the cost of bringing the rice into the country.
However, this pricing rule does not cover specialty rice varieties such as malagkit, Japanese rice, or black rice.
“If world rice prices remain stable, we anticipate a reduction in the MSRP after the February review,” he added.
The DA also noted that the current rice tariff, reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent, is “under evaluation.”
“This tariff policy mandates a review every four months, with the next assessment scheduled for March,” it added.
In November 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the expansion of the P29 RFA program and the establishment of additional Kadiwa centers nationwide.
READ: Marcos to DA, DBM: Bring cheap rice, Kadiwa centers closer to the people
Kadiwa is a market linkage facilitation program aimed at making agricultural products and other basic commodities “more accessible and affordable to vulnerable sectors.”
Expanded Kadiwa sites will offer Rice-for-All at P43 per kilogram or lower, with select locations selling P29 rice depending on stock availability.
“The Rice-for-All program is complemented by P29 rice to ensure even wider access to affordable rice varieties. These offerings are being expanded across public markets and Kadiwa centers to better serve Filipino consumers,” the DA said in a statement.