DA seeks approval to extend rice import ban

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recommended to President Marcos an extension of the freeze on rice importation up to the end of the year, citing the need to stabilize palay farmgate prices and sustain support for local farmers.

- By CHRISTINE BOTON

President Marcos earlier ordered a halt on rice importation for two months, or until Oct. 31, following a sharp drop in palay prices at the start of the wet harvest season. The move initially lifted farmgate prices, but the gains began to taper off as the moratorium neared its expiry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that palay prices in key producing provinces such as Isabela and Nueva Ecija rose to P13 to P14 per kilo from as low as P8 before the import freeze.

Data from the DA’s Regional Rice Program showed that prices peaked at P16.50 per kilo between Sept. 8 and 12 before easing to P13.50 by mid-September.

“This demonstrates that while upward adjustments have been observed, farmgate prices remain volatile and the harvest is still underway across much of the country,” Tiu Laurel said.

He said the proposed extension aims to sustain government support for local producers, maintain market stability and allow for a more comprehensive assessment of the import suspension’s overall impact.

The DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) reported that rice retail prices have remained generally stable since the import suspension. Prices of imported regular-milled rice fell from P40 per kilo in August to P37 by mid-September, while those of well-milled rice dropped from P50 to P48.

Local rice prices showed similar stability, with projections indicating that by November, well-milled rice will average P42 per kilo and regular-milled rice P40.

He added that conservative estimates show rice stocks lasting 87 days by year-end, while an optimistic outlook projects 90 days’ worth of supply.