Manila, March 31 -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday said he is more likely to recommend a slight and gradual hike in the tariff on imported rice in the next review in June.

This came after the DA and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported a significant decline in retail prices of imported rice in the local market, which is now at PHP40 to PHP45 per kg. level from the PHP60 per kg. level.

Under Executive Order (EO) 62, the tariffs on imported rice were reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent in June 2024 to help "drop retail prices of rice by PHP6 per kilogram to PHP7/kg."

In a media interview during the joint market inspection with the DTI at the Mega Q-Mart in Quezon City, Tiu Laurel...