Rice price increase at Carbon not related to Mideast crisis

Local

THE ₱5 to ₱10 increase in rice prices at Carbon Public Market in Cebu City is not linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Cebu City Market Administrator Elconjim Concha said the city’s monitoring showed that the recent price adjustments in rice sold at the market appear to stem from supply-side factors or possible market behavior, rather than international geopolitical developments.

“Actually nag-increase sila sa bugas but based on our observation, dili gyud siya tungod sa tension sa Middle East. Kay otherwise, ang uban goods diri nitaas unta, unya wala man,” Concha said.

He explained that if the conflict abroad had directly affected local supply chains, prices of other commodities in the market would have also risen.

City market monitoring showed that rice prices increased by around ₱5 to ₱7 per kilogram in recent days.

For example, the Ganador variety, which previously sold for around ₱65 per kilo, is now priced at about ₱70 per kilo at Carbon Market.

“Ang among na-check diri, ni-increase siya per kilo ranging from ₱5 to ₱7. Like sa Ganador naa mana siya sa ₱65 per kilo, karon naa na siya sa ₱70,” Concha said.

He added that one possible explanation is that some traders may be taking advantage of global developments to justify price adjustments, although supply conditions could also be a factor.

“First possibility ana maybe gi-take advantage ang global tension sa price increase. Possible na siya, or siguro sa supply sad gyud na. But it has nothing to do with the Middle East conflict, siguro if magpadayon na,” he said.

Concha also clarified that retailers inside Carbon Market do not arbitrarily increase prices, noting that most vendors rely on regular suppliers whose pricing largely dictates retail rates.

“Sa Carbon, kining mga retailers diri naa ra gyud na silay suppliers. So if musaka ang presyo sa ilang supplier, musaka sad gyud ilang presyo. Dili ingon nga ang mga namaligya diri, especially sa bugas, nagbuot-buot na sila og saka sa ilang presyo,” he said.

Market data as of March 5, 2026 show varying prices across several rice varieties:

Pilit – ₱52 to ₱60 per kilo

Jasmine – ₱50 to ₱56

Broken Ganador – ₱42

Tapul Siaton – ₱110 to ₱170

Corn grits #16 – ₱43 to ₱46

Well-milled rice varieties were listed at the following prices:

Lion Ivory – ₱52 to ₱63

Sinandomeng – ₱50 to ₱52

Princess Bea – ₱55 to ₱58

Princess Mia – ₱55

Grandeur – ₱53 to ₱58

Despite the increase in rice prices, Concha assured the public that other basic commodities sold at Carbon Market, including vegetables, meat, and spices, have remained stable.

According to him, the city market office continues to monitor prices closely to ensure consumers are not heavily affected by sudden spikes.

Meanwhile, national rice policies have also influenced market dynamics in recent months.

In September 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a 60-day suspension of rice importation in a bid to stabilize farm-gate prices of palay and protect local farmers from the impact of cheaper imported rice entering the domestic market.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said global bumper harvests and the lifting of India’s rice export ban had contributed to downward pressure on prices, while large volumes of imported rice also affected local palay buying rates.

Government agencies have since been evaluating the impact of the temporary import suspension on both farmers and the retail market.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry-Central Visayas (DTI-7) assured the public that the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) under its jurisdiction remain stable, with sufficient stocks and buffer supplies available across Cebu and Bohol.

Based on the latest price monitoring conducted by DTI-7 through its provincial offices, major supermarkets, grocery stores, and other retail establishments continue to report adequate supply levels and stable market conditions.

Retailers are also adhering to the Suggested Retail Prices for covered commodities, helping ensure that essential goods remain accessible to consumers.(TGP)