MANILA, Philippines — Retail food prices across the Philippines have remained relatively stable despite a significant spike in farm input and fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), while certain items like imported rice and beef have seen marginal increases, the cost of most alternative proteins, vegetables, and fish has either held steady or even decreased as of mid-April 2026. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra assured the public that current retail prices are “fair and justifiable” compared to farmgate prices.
Data from the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service shows a mixed but generally stable market:
- Grains: Imported rice currently ranges from ₱42 to ₱65 per kg. To combat potential profiteering, President Marcos is expected to sign an executive order imposing a ₱50 per kg price ceiling by the end of April.
- Meat & Poultry:
- Beef Brisket: Up slightly to ₱380–₱520 per kg.
- Frozen Pork Belly (Liempo): Down to ₱280–₱350 per kg.
- Whole Chicken: Lowered to ₱140–₱240 per kg.
- Fish: Local Round Scad (Galunggong) saw a significant drop, now retailing at ₱140–₱300 per kg (down from up to ₱390 in February).
- Vegetables: Prices for eggplant, local red onions, and white onions have all trended downward over the last two months.
To supplement market stability, the national government has launched several direct-to-consumer initiatives:
- Benguet Produce Distribution: Following a visit to La Trinidad, President Marcos purchased hundreds of kilos of highland vegetables which were distributed for free to various LGUs in Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Pasay, and Caloocan.
- Loan Moratorium: The DA has rolled out a loan payment moratorium for farmers and fisherfolk to help them manage the increased costs of fertilizer and fuel without passing those costs immediately to consumers.
- Toll Waivers: Toll fees have been waived for DA-listed trucks carrying agricultural cargo to ensure that logistics costs do not drive up shelf prices.
While the DA remains vigilant, the expected executive order on rice prices is seen as a critical next step to prevent inflation from spiraling. The department will continue its nationwide monitoring of basic necessities and prime commodities to protect consumers from artificial price hikes and hoarding during the Middle East crisis.