The Department of Agriculture (DA) explained that price adjustments for basic commodities, such as rice, can be considered a price correction.

According to DA Undersecretary Asis Perez, the slight movement in rice prices is simply a correction in relation to the low prices seen last year.

He also added that the price movement is not about inflation, but about the overall performance of rice production.

“So 'yun ang kalakarang presyo, hindi talaga tumaas yung inflation. Kung titingnan mo 'yan sa overall performance nung presyo ng bigas,” he explained

However, the agency noted that aside from monitoring the prices, it is also crucial to see if farmers and producers can afford the production costs.

These include the fuel, which the price has nearly doubled, and the fertilizer that rose over 30%. Labor costs have also increased. Based on the estimation of DA, farmers need to spend P10,000 to P15,000 per hectare for their capital due to the rise of input costs.

The DA is also evaluating the impact of these expenses on market prices. They explained that if product prices drop too low, to the extent that producers can no longer earn a profit, it could be possible that production in the future will decline.

Another example is pork; from the previous prices reaching over P400 per kilogram, market prices in some areas are now down to over P300. However, the DA has also monitored prices falling even lower in other places.

“May mga lugar pa, actually, na 240-250 lang ang kilo. Yung iba masaya dito, pero para sa Department of Agriculture, kailangan nating balansehin kasi hindi naman dapat malulugi ang ating mga magbababoy,” Perez said

According to Perez, while low prices of pork are good for consumers, this could be a challenge for producers.

“Kasi pag nalugi sila, titigil mag-produce 'yan. Pag nangtigil mag-produce 'yan, tataas na naman 'yung presyo,” he said

According to the DA, pork production increased in the first and second quarter of 2026, compared to the same period last year. Because production is high, market prices may remain low.

One of the steps the DA is advocating is the continuing vaccination against African Swine Fever (ASF) to protect livestock and prevent disruptions in production growth.

Meanwhile, the DA assured that there will be no risk of supply shortages for basic food staples for the upcoming holiday season.

According to the agency, by December 31, remaining supplies are projected to cover 170 days for pork, 125 days for chicken, and 85 days for rice.

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