Palay prices in the Philippines rise 29.9 percent year-on-year

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) reported a significant year-on-year increase in national average dry palay prices for August. According to Philippine Statistics Authority data, the average price rose 29.9 percent to P22.16 per kilogram, up from P17.06 the previous year.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that these higher farmgate returns may provide a necessary buffer for farmers to absorb rising costs related to fuel, transport, and other inputs. This price support is seen as vital for maintaining planting intentions, especially given the potential risks posed by El Niño. While most major rice-producing regions saw double-digit gains, Secretary Tiu Laurel noted that farmers in areas affected by the Southwest Monsoon faced depressed prices due to lower harvest quality caused by excessive moisture.

In the Eastern Visayas region, local palay production currently meets approximately 80 percent of the area's rice requirements. Although the region is not yet self-sufficient, officials noted that rice production showed signs of improvement with a 3.4 percent increase in the second quarter of 2026. This stability is attributed to improved local harvests and tighter rice importation regulations.