NFA chief: More consumers prefer govt rice

MANILA, Philippines - Most consumers particularly in the Metro Manila still prefer to buy the good quality but low-priced rice of the National Food Authority (NFA) even if newly harvested rice is available in the market. NFA administrator Jessup P. Navarro said for the first three months of the year, the agency's market participation increased. "Normally there is plenty of rice during the period, which gives consumers options in sourcing their staple," he said. The first three months are situated right between the main harvest in December 2008 and the summer crop that usually peaks in April and ends in May. NFA's market participation went up from 10.17 percent in January, 14.80 percent in February and an even higher 16.79 percent in March. Highest NFA market participation was in Metro Manila, averaging 20.44 percent, followed by Central Luzon, with 19.62 percent, Bicol with 18.73 percent, Southern Mindanao and Southern Tagalog with 15.56 and 15.36 percent, each respectively. Navarro said rice preference is influenced by price and availability of supply. "In the case of NFA rice, the government offers wide choices of varieties that will suit their budget," he noted. Aside from the P18.25 per kilogram rice available at Tindahan Natin outlets being sold to families with government-issued Family Access Card, NFA has commercial grade rice at P25 per kilo, P30 per kilo and P35 for high-end variety. Navarro said last March, NFA sold 3 million bags of rice as against the 3.1 million bags sales target. In February, 2.9 million bags were sold as against the 3 million bags target. Actual sales in January reached 2.3 million bags, equivalent to 88 percent of the targeted 2.6 million bags. Daily NFA rice sales average 149,821 bags, Navarro said. The agency distributes rice through 22,754 existing active market outlets, including 13,915 Tindahan Natin, Institutionalized Bigasan sa Palengke numbering with 3,811, 1,794 Bigasan sa Barangay, 1,440 Tindahan sa Parokya operated by religious organizations and community-based groups, as well as accredited and licensed inside and outside market retailers. - GMANews.TV