PH food supply remains stable despite El Niño, weak peso—gov't says

The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured Filipinos that the country has enough rice and other food supplies to last through the end of 2026 despite the weakening peso and the expected impact of a strong El Niño.

DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said existing food inventories from both local production and imports remain sufficient to meet demand.

"We have enough volume and inventory until the end of 2026 of major food commodities which have entered the country, both imported and, of course, local production," De Mesa said during a press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The assurance comes as concerns grow over the peso's continued slide against the US dollar and the potential effects of prolonged dry conditions on agricultural production. De Mesa echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for the public to remain calm, stressing that food supply remains stable.

According to the DA, local rice production reached 12.1 million metric tons of palay from January to September, exceeding output recorded during the same period in 2024 when the country also faced El Niño conditions.

Imports have likewise helped strengthen supply, with rice arrivals reaching 4.36 million metric tons as of Oct. 22. The figure is expected to rise further as the government prepares for the possible effects of extreme drought through the first half of 2027.

De Mesa also noted that inventories of meat, fish, and vegetables remain adequate, reducing the risk of food shortages in the coming months.

While the weaker peso may result in slight increases in the cost of imported goods and farm inputs, the DA said rice prices are not expected to hit PHP60 per kilogram, although minor adjustments could be felt in November.

To help farmers cope with the combined effects of El Niño and higher production costs, the government is rolling out assistance programs, including fuel and fertilizer subsidies, drought-resistant crop varieties, cash aid, and alternative livelihood opportunities.

The government has expanded corn import allocations to help lower feed costs and stabilize meat prices.

Under Executive Order No. 129, President Marcos increased the minimum access volume for corn imports from 220,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons for 2026, allowing an additional 280,000 metric tons of corn imports to supplement domestic supply. The measure is expected to help keep feed costs manageable and support food security as authorities work to strengthen agricultural resilience amid economic and climate-related challenges.