With lean months coming, NFA assures public of stable rice supply, prices

Now that farmers have finished harvesting their rice and the so-called lean months are coming, prices of commercial rice may soon start to go up in Pangasinan.

But the National Food Authority assured there would be a stable supply – and price – of rice, GMA Dagupan's Joanne Ponsoy reported Wednesday.

Some retailers said they are hoarding rice supplies so they can sell them during the lean months.

"Para may maibenta rin kami sa susunod na hindi mababa ang presyo," said commercial rice dealer Baby Dacaymat.

Last March, rice prices in the province went down by as much as P4 per kilo, thanks to a plentiful harvest.

At the time, NFA Eastern Pangasinan branch manager Ramon Cuaresma said the agency could stock up for the expected lean months of June to August.

Stable NFA rice prices

For now, NFA Eastern Pangasinan is storing rice at its warehouse in Binalonan town in Pangasinan.

Boosting the rice stocks is the arrival of the second batch of rice imported for this year.

"NFA's price has not changed, still the same. Hindi naman kami... we are not operating as private business," said NFA Eastern Pangasinan assistant provincial manager Ligaya Apolinario.

The NFA also said it is distributing the rice to retailers quickly, adding the prices of its rice remain stable at P27 to P32 per kilo.

At least 500 sacks of NFA rice loaded aboard 10 trucks are to be distributed to retailers in Eastern Pangasinan.

Rice imports from Vietnam and Thailand are stored in a warehouse in NFA Western Pangasinan, and will be sufficient for the second quarter of 2015.

The NFA also said the locally produced palay may be milled after the imported rice supplies run out, as the local produce can last longer, up to nine months. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News