PRICES rose for most major agricultural commodities in mid-April except for rice, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

A kilo of regular-milled rice posted a national average retail price of P44.44 during the April 15-17 monitoring period, which the PSA refers to as the second phase of April.

In the first phase of April (April 1-5), rice averaged P44.92 per kilo. In the second phase of March (March 15 to 17), prices had averaged P46.02.

The government has stepped up efforts to lower rice prices of the food staple ahead of the midterm elections.

On May 1, Cebu province saw the rollout of a P20-per-kilo rice program, subsidized by both the local and National Governments.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said on Friday that the pilot program is being suspended to comply with the May 2-12 ban on the distribution of government aid during election season.

Said state-backed minimarkets, known as Kadiwa stores, will also be prohibited from launching the P20-per-kilo rice program until after the midterm polls on May 12.

However, Kadiwa stores will continue to sell P29-per-kilo rice, which is covered by an exemption that the Department of Agriculture (DA) had sought.

The DA said at least 19 Kadiwa centers will start offering rice at P20 per kilo beginning May 13.

Meanwhile, the PSA said the average retail price of fresh bone-in pork during the second phase of April rose to P330.13 per kilo from P327.17 in the first phase of April and P327.22 in the second phase of March.

Sellers continue to defy the maximum suggested retail price for pork set in March of P300 per kilo for fresh carcasses, P350 for kasim and pigue (shoulder and rear leg), and P380 for liempo (belly).

The Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) said in a report on May 2 that retail prices for livestock and poultry products have been increasing since January 2024, “with a noticeable surge starting in December 2024.”

Pork cuts such as chops, kasim, and liempo recorded the “steepest increases,” ranging from 9.58% to 10.01% compared to the previous year, it said.

“Beef prices rose moderately, while chicken prices remained relatively stable until early 2025 when they experienced a slight uptick.”

The PCAARRD said African Swine Fever continues to disrupt domestic supply of pork.

Meat prices would remain high “due to ongoing supply constraints and strong global demand,” it said.

It said FMD-related bans on imports from affected countries could further constrain beef, pork, and dairy supplies.

Meanwhile, the PSA said the average retail price of galunggong (round scad) rose to P229.11 per kilo during the second phase of April from P219.64 in the first phase of April. In the second phase of March, the average price had been P237.80.

The average price of cabbage rose to P86.03 per kilo during the second phase of April from P81.70 per kilogram in the first phase and P82.19 per kilo in the second phase of March a year earlier.

Calamansi averaged P97.43 during the second phase of April, against P92.53 in the first phase of April and P91.77 per kilo in the second phase of March.

The PSA said the average retail price of cooking oil rose to P175.08 per liter during the second phase of April from P173.99 in the first phase and P172.15 in the second phase of March. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza