(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
MANILA, Philippines — A farmers group on Wednesday said that the low import tariffs should be blamed for the decline in palay prices during the dry season harvest.
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) pointed out the drop in international prices by the first quarter of March.
“Palay traders are probably anticipating that the prices of imported rice will continue to fall, so they are playing safe by buying low from farmers,” said FFF Board Chairman and MAGSASAKA Party-list first nominee Leonardo Montemayor in a statement.
READ: Philippines seen to reduce rice imports this year
The Department of Agriculture (DA) recorded 641,000 metric tons (MT) of rice imports from January to mid-March 2025, significantly lower than the 1.2 MT recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 62 in June 2024, implementing a tariff cut from 35% to 15% on rice and other agricultural products.
The FFF also urged the DA to address the decline in palay prices, emphasizing that the it should not deny reports of low palay prices and suicide committed by some farmers.
The DA on Monday said that they have to validate reports from the group that three farmers took their own lives due to low palay farmgate prices and over-importation of rice.
“It is sad that the DA, instead of commiserating with the plight of farmers, has blamed them for allegedly spreading fake news,” Montemayor added.
READ: Gov’t cuts imported rice max suggested retail price to P45 per kilo