Manila rice prices drop to P35/kilo

Rice prices in Manila have dropped to as low as P35 per kilo, based on a price monitoring visit Monday morning by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, together with officials from the Department of Agriculture and the Manila city government, at Quinta Market in Quiapo.

Roque noted that prices had fallen from over P50 per kilo, with some varieties now selling for P45, P40, and the lowest at P35 per kilo.

She said prices depend on the variety, giving buyers a range of options. The P35-per-kilo price stood out, she added, expressing optimism that prices could further improve with a good local harvest.

Chicken, meat and fish were also sold at generally reasonable prices, Roque said, with vendors offering fresh and good-quality products.

The price monitoring, she explained, is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s efforts to ensure food prices remain fair for consumers, as directed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Manila City Administrator Wardee Quinto said the local government also conducts its own market inspections to ensure prices of food and basic commodities remain within the national government’s prescribed levels.

“In many of our public markets in Manila, in line with the mayor’s directive, prices of basic goods should not exceed the levels set by the DTI for vendors. We also make sure that products sold to the public are weighed accurately,” Quinto said.