By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a bid to ensure balance between ensuring sufficient supply of rice without eating into the profits of domestic producers, the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) said that it is calibrating import volumes of the staple grain in anticipation of an uptick in local production.
At a consultative meeting with importers on Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. underscored the need to strike a balance between meeting national demand and ensuring fair prices for farmers, with expected import volumes for 2026 hovering around 3.6-3.8 million metric tons.
The projected import volume takes into consideration the D.A. ‘s forecast that palay output next year would reach around 20.3 million metric tons—almost the same as the original the target set for this year but won’t be hit due to the impact of flooding and other weather-related disturbances. The Philippines set a record harvest of 20.06 million metric tons in 2023.
Even before the four-month import ban is lifted at the end of the year, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) will begin processing applications for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPICs) covering about 500,000 metric tons, including the 50,000 metric tons reserved for government agencies.
All shipments must arrive by mid-February to prevent imported rice from weighing on palay prices at the start of the summer harvest.
Once importation swings into action next year, tariffs will rise to 20% from 15%, as agreed upon by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic team.
These imports will enter the country through these 17 ports from January-February:
- Manila
- Batangas
- Tacloban
- Bacolod
- Iligan
- Cagayan de Oro
- Davao
- Zamboanga
- Cebu
- Iloilo
- Capiz
- Tagbilaran
- Dumaguete
- Subic
- Calbayog
- General Santos
- Tabaco
Secretary Tiu-Laurel said, “The tariff increase reflects several realities—the recent depreciation of the peso and the likelihood of higher global prices once the Philippines reenters the market.”
The Agriculture Chief likewise encouraged importers to expand the roster of sources where they procure rice, “Instead of relying almost entirely on Vietnam, we encourage importers to consider Cambodia, Myanmar, and other non-traditional suppliers.”
Rice importation has been liberalized under the Rice Tariffication Law. In 2024, the Philippines imported a record 4.8 million metric tons of rice—33% more than in 2023—as traders moved early amid concerns over weaker harvests caused by El Niño and La Niña.
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