The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to boost domestic farm output this year as it rules out any sugar imports for the remainder of 2026, signaling confidence in local production and supply conditions.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 28, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa told reporters that the agency has set a minimum harvest target of 20.3 million metric tons for the year and will not allow any sugar importation for the entire year of 2026.

De Mesa added that the tariff rate remains at 15 percent until the end of the first quarter of 2026 and clarified that the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) remains unchanged from earlier levels.
“As of today, the tariff of rice is still 15 percent because it hasn't reached the upper limit of 350 to 367 per metric ton,” he said. “The benchmark used is five percent Vietnam.”
“For the 20 percent [tariff] to be triggered, the price of international rice from Vietnam must be 350 to 367,” he added. "And then, DA needs to issue a certification, and then, BOC [Bureau of Customs] needs to issue a CMO [Customs Memorandum Order]."

The DA anticipates nearly 600,000 metric tons of imported rice will arrive between January and February 2026, including a specific commitment of 300,000 metric tons for February alone.

“If there are more imports, it can drive down the price, especially if the price in the international market is low," De Mesa said. "Supposedly, it will translate to a cheaper price in the market.”

He added, “So if there are too many cheap rice, it will drive down the price of the local, in the farm gate, as we know, the price of rice in the farm gate will go down.”

De Mesa added that part of the commitment, “The traders will buy fresh rice at ₱17 and dry rice at ₱21.”

Assuring that there is no rice shortage, De Mesa cited both local and import data. “Imported rice continues to come in steadily,” he said.

On sugar, De Mesa confirmed, “There is no importation for the whole of 2026.” He clarified that exports to the United States (US) are part of existing commitments, noting that 100,000 metric tons of sugar have already been exported.

De Mesa added that these measures will also help raise domestic prices, saying, “These are some of the moves.” He emphasized that the agency is continuously working to strengthen the sugar industry.

“The good thing here is that our production of sugar is continuously increasing,” he said.