As the implementation of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice began on 20 January 2025, some markets in Central Visayas were found to exceed the P58 per kilogram ceiling.
This was revealed on Saturday, 25 January by the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas (DA-7).
In its Price Watch report released for the period 20 to 23 January 2025, three markets in the region were found to have exceeded the MSRP by P1 to P5 for special and premium imported rice.
The report identified Carbon Market in Cebu City, Tabunok Market in Talisay City, and Larena Market in Siquijor as exceeding the MSRP.
At Carbon Market, special and premium rice were sold at P59 per kilogram.
At Tabunok Market, special rice was priced at P60 per kilogram, while in Larena Market, special and premium rice were priced at P62.50 and P60, respectively.
The DA has urged the public to help monitor markets by reporting any instances of MSRP violations to authorities.
The DA previously warned that retailers caught exceeding the MSRP must justify their prices to authorities. If rice prices remain excessively high, the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will recommend that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. impose a price ceiling with strict penalties for violators.
The MSRP aims to stabilize rice prices in the market to make it more affordable for consumers.
Erwin Gok-ong, general manager of the Cebu Market Vendors Development Cooperative (CEMVEDCO), told media that rice prices have significantly decreased recently.
However, he acknowledged that the best-quality imported rice remains relatively expensive, reaching P59 to P60 per kilogram.
Gok-ong noted that imported rice, which was previously sold by wholesalers for P2,500 per sack, is now sold at P2,350.
Meanwhile, markets such as Mandaue Market, Lapu-Lapu Market, Dao Market in Bohol, Lazi, and Siquijor Market all fall within the DA's MSRP, with some prices even lower depending on the type of rice. For well-milled and regular-milled rice, the highest prices range from P46 to P58.25 per kilogram.