Rice supply enough as import ban extends to year-end - DA
Metro Manila, Philippines - A “record harvest” of palay seen this year will boost supply as the import ban continues until the end of the year, the spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture said Tuesday, Nov. 4.
In a news briefing, Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the imported rice stocks are expected to run out by Nov. 15. Imports were halted in September.
“Kahit may import ban tayo ng hanggang December, we still have enough supply which will last up to another almost three months hanggang next year,” De Mesa told reporters.
[Translation: Even if we have an import ban until December, we still have enough supply which will last up to another almost three months or until next year.]
The confidence stemmed from the government projection that harvest this year would range from 20.2 million metric tons (MMT) to 20.5 MMT. The forecast was higher than the 20.06 MMT output in 2023.
De Mesa said the projected figure took into account possible losses from calamities.
He also said inventory by year-end was estimated at 3.4 MMT, translating to 89 days of national consumption.
“Isang pagkakataon na rin ito na iyong ating mga kababayan talaga ay magkonsumo ng ating lokal na bigas para lalo nating matulungan iyong ating mga magsasaka,” he said.
[Translation: This is a chance for Filipinos to consume local rice and help our farmers.]
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said the DA is considering allowing around 300,000 metric tons of imported rice by January next year. https://www.newswatchplus.ph/news/2025/10/25/marcos-eo-palay-floor-price-sagip-saka-act.html
Tariff hike
However, farm groups are still pushing to restore the rice tariff to 35 percent.
RELATED: Marcos suspends rice importation, holds off tariff hike
De Mesa said the department supports the call but noted the need for “careful balance between our farmers and consumers.”
He said farmers are protected by executive orders for the palay floor price and the full implementation of a law that requires government agencies to procure agricultural and fishery products directly from accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives or enterprises, or the Sagip Saka Act.
The National Food Authority buys fresh palay at P17 per kilogram (kg) and wet palay at P21/kg to P23/kg.
De Mesa said the DA has seen farmgate prices of P14/kg to P17/kg, as well as P20/kg reportedly in some areas.
He said they expect the import ban to have a “bigger effect” on the dry season harvest in March to April next year.
Show cause
Meanwhile, the DA has also issued at least 16 show-cause orders against retailers in some Metro Manila markets selling imported rice at a high price.
The agency is implementing a maximum suggested retail price on imported premium rice at P43 per kilogram.
The DA monitored that some sold imported premium rice for P55/kg.
