Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering targeted carrot imports for Metro Manila, Cebu, and other regions facing supply constraints until July. At the same time, the agency is evaluating potential price ceilings for carrots, pork liempo, and palm-based cooking oil.
Strategic Imports to Address Supply Gaps
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Laurel emphasized that the imports would be confined to strategic locations to bridge supply deficits. We will import carrots strategically in areas where supply is short, he stated.
The DA previously imported 1,000 metric tons of carrots in April to calibrate the market, but prices did not decline as expected. For May, the department plans to bring in 2,500 metric tons, with similar volumes in June and a slight reduction in July.
Current Market Prices
As of Monday, DA Bantay Presyo monitoring showed carrots priced between P80 and P190 per kilo in Metro Manila, up from P70 to P150 per kilo recorded on February 26. Laurel noted that pork liempo should ideally sell at P380 per kilo, not the current P420, with Metro Manila prices ranging from P330 to P480 per kilo.
Palm-based cooking oil is currently sold at P34 to P40 for a 350-milliliter bottle and P75 to P115 for a one-liter bottle. Laurel also revealed that a price cap on imported rice would be announced soon, and local well-milled rice may be subject to a suggested retail price of P52 to P53 per kilo, depending on the area.
Rice Price Updates
Imported premium rice is selling for P55 to P63 per kilo in Metro Manila, while local premium rice ranges from P50 to P62 per kilo, according to the department.
