The importation could fall below 4 million metric tons.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., import volumes for rice next year will likely range between 3.6 million and 3.8 million metric tons. The said amount, the department noted, is sufficient to meet national demand without depressing farmgate prices.
Tiu Laurel, in his meeting with rice importers, outlined a plan to better calibrate import volumes to keep rice affordable for consumers while ensuring fair palay prices for farmers.
The projected import volume takes into consideration the DA’s forecast that palay output next year would reach around 20.3 million metric tons—almost the same as the original the target set for this year but won’t be hit due to the impact of flooding and other weather-related disturbances.
If the target is to be hit, the Philippines set a new record harvest following the 20.06 million metric tons in 2023.
IMPORT CLEARANCES
As the four-month import ban is set to be lifted at the end of the year, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) will begin processing applications for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPICs) that will cover about 500,000 metric tons, including the 50,000 metric tons reserved for government agencies.
All these shipments must arrive by mid-February to prevent imported rice from weighing on palay prices at the start of the summer harvest, the Agriculture department added.
The levy on imported rice is also expected will rise to 20 percent from 15 percent, in line with an agreement among economic managers of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., once importation resumes. However, the DA will waive the usual 10-percent down payment requirement for SPIC issuance.
“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,” said Tiu Laurel.
Rice imports during the January–February window will only be limited to 17 ports nationwide.
These are the ports of Manila, Batangas, Tacloban, Bacolod, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Subic, Calbayog, General Santos, and Tabaco.
The agriculture chief also urged importers to diversify their sources and encouraged them to consider buying from Cambodia, Myanmar, and other “non-traditional suppliers.”
The BPI estimates total rice imports in 2025to hit around 3.5 million metric tons, sharply lower than the 2024 record, largely due to the four-month import freeze that began in September.