To curb potential profiteering, the Department of Agriculture is considering setting a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for garlic and eggs if market prices rise again, the agency said in a press release on Tuesday.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) stated that while the current price of garlic per kilo is considered affordable, they are prepared to implement an MSRP if necessary.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, however, noted that the department will focus on rice and pork prices for the time being.
“Since the price has fallen to around ₱100 a kilo, we had to hold back. I think the current price is reasonable given their cost of around ₱80. But if prices spike again, we will definitely implement an MSRP,” Tiu-Laurel said.
Likewise, the DA is also monitoring egg prices, as Tiu-Laurel noted that fluctuations have placed them within the ₱6–₱8 range, lower than the previously reported ₱10–₱12.
Tiu-Laurel said the rising demand for eggs has been driven by election-related spending and increased chicken mortality due to higher temperatures.
On March 31, the DA lowered the MSRP for imported rice to ₱45 per kilo, down from ₱49, in response to the global decline in rice prices.
For pork, the DA set MSRPs at ₱380 per kilo for liempo and ₱350 per kilo for kasim and pigue. The agency noted that although compliance has improved, it has not yet reached the desired level.
