Agri dept assures secure supply of pork, chicken, rice even after holidays

MANILA—There is a “secured” supply of pork, chicken, and rice in the Philippines that will last even after the holidays, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

According to Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez, pork supply can last up to an estimated 170 days after Dec. 31. Chicken volume, meanwhile, has 125 days of supply after the year ends, while rice supply has 85 days.

“We’ve never been so — I would say — so secured in terms of food,” Perez said on state television PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

“The department is very much on top of the situation. In fact, I would dare say that it’s not the department alone, but the private sector did very well. Kaya nga lang ‘pag marami ring sobra, ‘yung presyo maaapektuhan. Again, we have to strike a balance along that line,” he added.

Perez said the people should be encouraged to consume more, noting that they have observed a decline in purchasing.

Meanwhile, Perez said the price of rice was “corrected” this year as last year’s prices were low, resulting in farmers suffering financial costs.

In 2025, a kilo of well-milled rice was priced at P49 while regular-milled rice was at P42.

As of September this year, a kilo of well-milled rice was at P56 while regular-milled rice was at P49, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s figures.

“Last year, halimbawa, P40 [per kilo of rice] lang, nalugi ‘yung mga farmer natin,” Perez said.

“Ang nangyari lang ngayon, sa tingin namin, price correction,” he said. “‘Yun talaga ang kalakarang presyo.”

The undersecretary said the prices of commodities should be considered as costs of fuel and fertilizers are rising.

The DA said it is assisting farmers to help them cope with climbing costs.