The Philippines is preparing to increase its foreign rice purchases this year as the government moves to stabilize domestic supply and temper price volatility for Filipinos ' main food staple. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the country is ready to scale up shipments from its...
The country’s rice imports in the first quarter rose by nearly 37 percent to more than one million metric tons (MT) compared to a year ago, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). The latest BPI data showed that rice imports from January to March reached 1.26 million MT, higher than the...
The Philippines’ rice imports may increase to over five million metric tons (MT) in the upcoming marketing year (MY) 2026-2027 to plug the shortfall in domestic production, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In a report, the USDA estimated that the country’s rice...
Senator Imee Marcos expressed concern over the use of imported rice for the government’s “P20 rice” program despite the ongoing harvest season and the absence of any declared supply shortage. Marcos said that some officials appear to be prioritizing profit over protecting the welfare of...
President Marcos has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 105, which maintains the 15 percent tariff rate on imported rice until the end of 2025 and introduces a mechanism to adjust rates based on international market prices starting next year. The EO, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on...
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Sunday, October 12 called on the administration to issue an executive order (EO) to establish a floor price for palay (unmilled rice). Pangilinan said this measure would apply to all government purchases and align with the full implementation of the Sagip...
President Marcos has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 93 that suspends the importation of regular and well-milled rice for 60 days. It shall take effect from Sept. 1 until Oct. 30 this year. Under EO 93 dated Aug. 29, Marcos said the suspension of the importation of regular and well-milled rice was...
Malacañang assured the public that the country’s rice supply remains sufficient even with the 60-day suspension of imports starting next month, citing local harvests and stronger government monitoring. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this ahead of the start of the two-month...
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the upcoming 60-day suspension on rice imports could be shortened or extended, depending on potential market shifts. In a statement, Tiu Laurel said the government will closely monitor price movements and the outcome of the harvest...
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has downgraded its projection of the Philippines’ rice imports this year by 500,000 metric tons (MT) due to the 60-day import ban that will come into effect beginning next month. In its report on the global grains trade, the USDA’s Foreign...
The government will not extend the 60-day suspension of rice imports, which forms part of an ongoing effort to address challenges faced by farmers, once the deadline expires in October. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said on Monday, Aug. 11, that the import pause will unlikely be extended given that...
President Marcos has ordered a 60-day suspension of all rice importation starting Sept. 1 to shield local farmers from falling palay prices during the ongoing harvest season, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced. The President announced the move after consultations with key...
