Food prices remain stable despite rising fuel costs, says DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said food prices have remained broadly stable despite rising fuel costs amid the Middle East conflict.

In a news release, the DA, citing monitoring of its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, said there were observed "selective" price increases in imported rice and local beef and pork following the February 28, 2026 US-Israel airstrikes on Iran. 

The Agriculture Department, however, said most alternative protein sources—including chicken, eggs, fish, and vegetables—have either held steady or declined as of April 13, 2026.

Improved supply has been a key stabilizer, the agency said.

The end of the fishing ban on January 31 boosted catches of staple fish such as galunggong and tamban, pulling prices lower. 

Galunggong fell sharply to around P200 per kilo from as high as P330, while tamban eased to P130 from P140.

To curb rising prices of imported rice, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. had said he is considering an executive order to impose a P50 per kilo price cap, as prevailing market prices have climbed to around P60.

The trend underscores a familiar dynamic: While fuel-driven cost pressures ripple through the supply chain, ample domestic production can blunt their effect on retail prices, according to the DA.

Nevertheless, the DA said sustained oil volatility could eventually feed into broader food inflation, particularly for imported goods and transport-heavy commodities.

"The DA Bantay Presyo Supply and Monitoring Team is on top of the situation, closely tracking both supply and prices of basis necessities and prime commodities across markets nationwide," said DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra.

"We continue to monitor key agri-fishery products, including rice, cooking oil, sugar, pork, beef, chicken, tilapia, bangus, eggs, and vegetables. Based on our latest data, prevailing retail prices remain generally stable and are still fair and justifiable relative to farmgate prices, despite rising fuel costs," added Guevarra.

For now, the DA said data points to a market that remains relatively well-supplied, alongside possibly softer demand as households contend with higher costs for other goods. 

Inflation rose to 4.1% in March, up from 2.4% in February and 1.8% in March 2025. — VDV, GMA News