DA wants rice imports suspended

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday recommended to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. a suspension of rice imports and increased tariffs to protect local farmers amid declining farmgate prices.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana Reporter

This is meant to shield Filipino rice producers from the continued influx of lower cost imported rice, which has been putting pressure on domestic prices in recent months, according to the Presidential Palace.

The move seeks to strike a balance between supporting local farmers and maintaining a stable food supply across the country, it added.

Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez did not give further details regarding the proposal but noted that Cabinet members will discuss this with Mr. Marcos during his trip to India from Aug. 4 to 8.

In June, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told the House of Representatives that he recommended that the Tariff Commission implement a phased increase in rice import duties to the original 35% from the current 15%.

He also proposed that the tariff adjustment be aligned with the harvest periods of the Philippines’ key suppliers — around late September for Vietnam and December for Pakistan — to mitigate any adverse impact on the local market.

Mr. Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) No. 62 in June 2024, which slashed rice import tariffs to 15% from 35% until 2028 in a bid to curb rice prices. The tariff is subject to review every four months.

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano said suspending rice imports or limiting these to 1 million metric tons (MT) could trigger a severe supply shortage.

Last year, the Philippines imported 4.7 million MT and is expected to import even more this year.

“The United States Department of Agriculture predicts we will import a higher amount this year,” Mr. Adriano said in a Viber chat. “How will DA fill up the huge supply gap, given that dramatic productivity levels cannot be achieved in a year’s time?”