Rice prices may increase next year because of Super Typhoon ''Karding'' and high production cost, a Department of Agriculture spokesperson said.

In a radio interview, Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said rice prices will not increase this year but losses incurred because of ''Karding'' may affect supply.

"For the price of rice, it will not increase now, because the supplies in the market, these were the harvest before. We still have enough supply of rice now. We are checking when these affected crops was supposed to be allotted. That is why there are studies being done right now. The price may increase next year, that is the time when we will feel the effect of the typhoon," she said.

Evangelista said high production costs may affect rice prices.

"The production cost of our farmers is also a factor, like fertilizer whose price has increased. When you use machineries, then definitely you use oil. But as far as the supply is concerned, the supply situation is still good," she said.

Evangelista said the DA is focusing on how to improve production. ''How are we going to increase the production because we were able to do it this year. We have experienced storms before and yet production is good, and our focus really to always improve local production," she added. Robina Asido/DMS