Almost a year after its implementation, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed his support for a 'gradual' tariff hike on 5 percent broken imported rice starting late September.

The tariffs on imported rice were initially reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent in July 2024 to help manage rice retail prices and curb food inflation in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives.

Tiu Laurel emphasized that the tariff increase should be strategically timed to align with the harvest seasons of major global rice exporters, proposing late September for Vietnam and December for Pakistan.

He also highlighted the importance of a gradual approach to avoid market shocks, as a sudden 20-point increase could have ripple effects both locally and globally.

As of June 11, imported premium and well-milled rice in Metro Manila are priced at PHP45 per kg. and PHP40/kg. respectively, according to the DA Bantay Presyo.

The DA plans to lower the maximum suggested retail price for 5 percent broken rice to PHP43/kg. in July to further decrease retail rice prices.