MANILA — Expected fuel price rollbacks will have minimal impact on stubbornly high food prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) warned, saying consumers should not expect immediate or significant relief despite easing pump prices.
The DA said elevated food costs — particularly for meat — continue to reflect earlier spikes in fuel prices, which have driven up production and transport expenses across the supply chain.
Despite projected reductions in oil prices, pork remains expensive in many markets, with shoulder and butt cuts selling at around P360 per kilogram, while liempo ranges from P420 to P450 per kilo.
DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the anticipated rollbacks may help stabilize prices but will not lead to substantial decreases.
“Makakatulong para hindi na tumaas pa lalo… pero hindi pa siya ganoon na magdudulot ng significant na pagbaba,” he said.
De Mesa added that sufficient imported supply is helping prevent further spikes in prices, noting that cold storage facilities are currently well-stocked.
“Sa ngayon marami tayong imported [stock]… punong-puno ang cold storages natin. Hindi natin nakikita na aabot sa P589,” he said.
Market vendors echoed the DA’s assessment, saying small fuel price reductions are not enough to justify lowering retail prices.
Pork seller Elizabeth Espino said only significant rollbacks would translate into noticeable price cuts for consumers.
“Kahit bumababa ng bahagya, mahirap magbaba kung konti lang ang rollback. Kailangan at least P10 hanggang P20. Bababa kami ng mga P5,” she said.
The DA said it will continue monitoring food prices as global oil market fluctuations — driven largely by tensions in the Middle East — continue to influence costs of production and distribution./PN
