Rice imports expected to dip below 4 million MT next year

RICE IMPORTS in 2026 are expected to fall below 4 million metric tons (MMT), with the Philippines ordering less from foreign suppliers due to strong domestic production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the DA said rice import volumes next year will likely come in at between 3.6 MMT and 3.8 MMT, levels which the department said are sufficient to meet demand without depressing prices earned by domestic farmers for their crop.

The DA said the import projection assumes domestic production of 20.3 MMT of palay (unmilled rice) next year, which if realized would be slightly lower than the record 20.06 MMT in 2023.

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) is set to begin processing applications for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances covering about 500,000 metric tons, including the 50,000 metric tons reserved for government agencies.

To ease cash-flow pressures on importers, the DA said it will waive the usual 10% down payment requirement for obtaining clearances.

The DA said all shipments must arrive by mid-February to prevent imported rice from weighing on palay prices at the start of the summer harvest.

It said tariffs will be increased to 20% from 15% when imports resume next year, following discussions among the government’s economic managers.

“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,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. was quoted as saying in a statement.

According to the DA, rice imports during the January-February window will be directed to 17 ports: Manila, Batangas, Tacloban, Bacolod, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Subic, Calbayog, General Santos, and Tabaco.

Meanwhile, Mr. Laurel urged importers to diversify their sources. “Instead of relying almost entirely on Vietnam, we encourage importers to consider Cambodia, Myanmar, and other non-traditional suppliers,” he said.

In 2024, the Philippines imported a record 4.8 MMT of rice, as traders accelerated purchases amid concerns over weaker harvests caused by El Niño and La Niña. The BPI’s own estimate for rice imports this year is around 3.5 MMT due to the four-month import freeze that began in September.

Mr. Laurel said the high volume of imports in 2024, combined with large shipments in early 2025 before the ban took effect, dragged down palay prices and hurt farmer incomes.

The US Department of Agriculture projected Philippine rice imports of 5.5 MMT for the marketing year 2025-2026, but the DA said this level is unlikely to be realized given the import ban and tighter volume controls. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel