The Price Stabilization Council (PSC) is advocating for a price ceiling of P50 per kilo on imported rice as part of efforts to make staple grains more affordable for Filipino consumers.
Officials pushing the proposal said the cap would help tame escalating rice prices, which have strained household budgets amid broader food inflation. The PSC, a government advisory body on price policy, argues that imported rice — a key supply source during tight domestic production periods — should be sold at reasonable rates to protect consumers.
The push comes amid ongoing concerns about food security and affordability in the Philippines, where rice remains the most essential staple in many diets. Rising domestic rice prices have prompted calls from various sectors to stabilize the market and ensure stable supply.
Under the PSC’s recommendation, rice importers would be encouraged or mandated to sell imported rice at prices not exceeding P50 per kilogram in retail markets. The council said this strategy aims to ease pressure on prices and provide relief to low‑ and middle‑income households.
Rice traders and industry stakeholders have raised questions about the feasibility of the cap, citing logistics costs, traders’ margins, and global market prices as factors that might affect retail pricing. Still, the council maintains that price regulation could help cushion consumers amid inflationary pressures.
Economists have said that price ceilings can offer short‑term relief but must be accompanied by measures to boost local rice production and improve supply chain efficiency to be sustainable.
Government agencies are reviewing the recommendation and are expected to discuss next steps with agricultural stakeholders and market participants.