By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the public that there will be sufficient supply of rice and meat during the holiday season
DA said there will be a huge supply of locally produced rice that can meet the demand of the consumers until the end of the year.
However, retail prices of rice might be affected as China has an ongoing drought that can affect the prices of rice as well as other imported rice varieties.
According to the DA Bantay Presyo, the current prices in the market for whole dressed chicken is P190 per kilo; P300 per kilo for pork ham or kasim; P370 per kilo for pork liempo; P420 per kilo for beef rump; and P360 per kilo for beef brisket.
The DA said that they are continuously monitoring and working on maintaining the stability of prices and supply of meat in the market to help local producers produce enough supply for the demand.
Moreover, the availability and sufficiency of fish products have yet to be determined.
The current prices for fish according to DA Bantay presyo for milkfish (bangus) is at P160 per kilo; tilapia at P120 per kilo; Indian mackerel (alumahan) at P300 per kilo; and local round scad (galunggong) is at P240 per kilo.
The agriculture department is making efforts to address issues on oversupply and insufficiency in certain agricultural commodities in the country.
The National Food Authority is expected to ensure enough rice supply by maintaining its stocks which can be distributed either through sale and donation to government agencies, local government units and private institutions involved in relief operations during calamities. – gb
