Philippines declares food security emergency amid soaring rice prices

PHILIPPINE – The Philippine government has declared a food security emergency on rice as prices for the staple grain continue to rise, placing a heavy burden on millions of Filipinos, particularly low-income households.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the emergency measure on, February 3, citing the “extraordinary” surge in local rice prices despite efforts to stabilize the market through reduced tariffs and lower global costs.

Francisco Tiu Laurel, Agriculture Secretary emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the declaration aims to ensure rice remains affordable and accessible to all Filipinos.

“Despite efforts to liberalize rice imports and reduce tariffs, the domestic market has been slow to respond, with retail prices surpassing expectations. This volatility has left many Filipinos, particularly those in lower-income brackets, struggling to afford rice,” Laurel said.

The decision follows a resolution by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) on January 16, which recommended the declaration due to the alarming rise in rice prices.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that rice inflation soared to 17.9 percent in July 2023, far exceeding the government’s target of four percent for food inflation. By December 2023, the cost of regular and well-milled rice had increased by 19 percent and 20 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Rice is a staple food in the Philippines, consumed by nearly every household daily. However, the country has long struggled with rice self-sufficiency, relying heavily on imports to meet demand.

In 2019, the government passed the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which removed import quotas and allowed private traders to bring in rice from abroad, subject to tariffs. The law aimed to stabilize prices by increasing supply and reducing reliance on the National Food Authority (NFA).

Despite these measures, rice prices have remained volatile, exacerbated by global market fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and extreme weather events affecting local production.

Under the food security emergency declaration, the NFA is authorized to release its buffer stocks to stabilize rice prices.

The agency will distribute rice through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) program, local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies. Without this declaration, the NFA is legally restricted from selling rice directly to the public.

The authority to declare a food security emergency was granted to the Agriculture Secretary under Republic Act (RA) No. 12078, which amended the RTL in December 2023. The law empowers the secretary to take swift action in times of crisis to protect consumers and ensure food security.

Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.