MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is adjusting its policies to keep food prices fair for consumers while ensuring farmers earn reasonable returns, following recent increases in rice and onion prices.

Recent market reports show rising retail prices of rice and onions, even as farm gate prices for onions remain low. Prices of palay (unmilled rice), however, have improved after the four-month rice import ban ended on December 31.

Market analysts attributed the uptick in rice prices to supply fluctuations and logistical bottlenecks that delayed the arrival of imported stocks. Meanwhile, onion prices increased due to delays in the release of imported supplies. Shipments scheduled for late December and early January were held up by transshipment issues abroad and port closures during the holiday period from December 24 to January 5.

“The government is actively managing the situation to stabilize the market,” Tiu Laurel said, emphasizing the DA’s goal of creating a system where farmers can sustain production while families can afford basic commodities.

“Our goal is to strike a balance to ensure farmers recover their costs, while consumers can access rice and onions at reasonable prices,” he added. He projected that rice prices may normalize by mid-March with the arrival of imports and the start of the harvest season.

To address supply pressures, the DA is speeding up the rollout of its Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program in key cities. The initiative seeks to provide affordable rice to consumers while supporting farm gate prices for local rice producers. “This is a critical measure to balance production costs and consumer affordability,” Tiu Laurel said.

In Nueva Ecija, onion growers have blamed imports for depressed farm gate prices. However, inspections of cold storage facilities showed limited stocks of imported onions, indicating that other market factors may be influencing prices.

The DA is evaluating additional policy options to help raise onion farm gate prices ahead of the peak local harvest in March and April.

Tiu Laurel noted that maintaining support for farmers while shielding consumers from high prices remains a delicate balancing act, as sustained low prices could discourage production and threaten long-term food security. He said continued monitoring and timely interventions will be crucial in the coming weeks.