CHEAPER rice from Kadiwa will soon be available in supermarkets and convenience stores.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is forging partnerships with retail giants so Kadiwa rice can be sold in their outlets nationwide.
“Pumayag sila na ‘yung ating mga Kadiwa rice ay maibenta rin at same price dun sa maging available siya. And posibleng, of course, ‘yung pagpapresyo din ay maging kaparehas din,” said Asec. Arnel de Mesa.
“Magiging available ay ‘yung P29, ‘yung rice for all na 5 percent broken, RFA 25 percent broken, and ‘yung Sulit Rice. So ito ‘yung mga klase ng bigas na i-offer sa mga supermarkets and convenience stores,” De Mesa said.
The agency added that the supermarkets will have to absorb the additional costs in distributing Kadiwa rice in their outlets.
Based on monitoring, rice in supermarkets are priced much higher than wet markets, with cheapest rice usually priced at around P75 per kilo.
“Talagang ang laki ng diperensya ng bigas nila, the same brand, the same type of rice, talagang malaki ang diperensya,” De Mesa said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier met with representatives from supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores to discuss the plan.
With over 3,200 retail outlets, including SM, Robinsons, 7-Eleven, Puregold, and MerryMart, the DA sees these networks as crucial in reaching millions of consumers daily.
The program will be piloted in Metro Manila, where rice prices remain high despite tariff reductions and falling global rates.
Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a government-owned corporation, will handle the supply and packaging of rice distributed through participating retail chains. (ABS-CBN News)
