Rice prices also rise amid global oil crisisWorkers unload sacks of rice from a truck along Dagupan Street in Manila on January 23, 2026. Due to supply disruptions, fuel price hikesMANILA, Philippines — Rice prices have increased and may continue to do so as market speculations swirl over supply disruptions and fuel price surges driven by the escalating war in the Middle East. Industry sources told The STAR that rice prices have increased by about P2 per kilo following the first wave of fuel price hikes last week. Department of Agriculture (DA) officials earlier disclosed that rice prices may be affected by the global oil crisis since the sector uses fuel for various means, from harvesting to transportation. All these compounding factors have offset the softening of imported rice prices in the past two months due to ongoing harvest in Vietnam, the country’s top supplier, Manuntag said.

Source: Philippine Star March 15, 2026 16:06 UTC