DA may extend rice import ban

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Friday he may recommend the extension of the 60-day rice import ban to maintain price increases in local palay (unmilled rice).

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is expected to submit the recommendation by the end of September, pending data validation.

Since President Marcos imposed the moratorium in early September, the farm-gate prices of palay have increased in recent weeks.

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Tiu Laurel said palay prices have risen to P17 per kilogram in certain areas of Mindanao and between P13 and P14 per kilo in Isabela and Nueva Ecija provinces, a significant increase from only P8 to P10 a kilo prior to the import ban.