THE National Food Authority (NFA) reported that it procured 208,691.6 metric tons (MT) of palay, or unmilled rice in the fourth quarter, equivalent to 4.17 million bags weighing 50 kilograms each.
The NFA said procurement was significantly higher than the year-earlier total of 42,930.2 MT.
Nevertheless, the quarter’s procurement amounted to only 66.84% of its 312,209.5 MT target.
“In spite of the implementation of the Price Range Scheme (PRICERS), the non-attainment of the target was mainly due to the NFA’s limited drying capacity, when the primary trading during this period is fresh or wet palay,” the NFA added.
The PRICERS program sets a buying range of palay per province and by grade of grain at prices that are competitive against those offered by traders.
The NFA said it distributed 323,206 bags (16,160.3 MT) of milled rice in the fourth quarter, also well below target.
The distribution during the quarter was only 27.4% of its 1.18 million bags for the period.
“Sales of NFA rice were limited only to disaster/calamity response of local government units and other government relief agencies with minimal volume requested,” it added. — Adrian H. Halili