Marcos issues order on 60-day rice import suspension

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued the executive order on the 60-day suspension of rice importation that will take effect on Sept. 1.

Through EO No. 93 signed Friday, Aug. 29, but publicized on Saturday, Marcos directed the suspension of importation of regular milled and well-milled rice until Oct. 30. The order does not include imported specialty rice varieties.

The suspension period coincides with the peak of harvest season.

The import pause may be shortened or necessary as recommended by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The three agencies are expected to evaluate the import suspension after 30 days of the order’s effectivity and submit a joint recommendation to the president within 15 days.

The DA recommended for the suspension to “enable the domestic market to absorb the local supply, stabilize prices, and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price.”

“The DA reported that the strong local production of rice in early 2025 and the heavy arrival of imported rice in the previous months due to the reduced tariff rates for imported rice have resulted in the sharp decrease in the price of rice across the market,” Malacañang said.

Marcos made the pronouncement on the rice import suspension on Aug. 6 after a meeting with Cabinet officials on the sidelines of his state visit to India. 

Marcos was not inclined to discuss a higher rice tariff. He slashed the rate from 35 percent to 15 percent in June last year.

Some industry players pointed out that farmers may still be at a disadvantage as rice tariffs were untouched.