The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday assured the public that it will strictly regulate rice imports from Pakistan, prioritizing local production over foreign supply.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. clarified that while the Philippines is expanding its trade engagements with Pakistan, the entry of Pakistani rice will be “calibrated” based on existing local supply gaps.
“The Philippines welcomes Pakistani rice, but we will limit imports strictly to what the country needs. We will not over-import; food security comes first,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.
The assurance follows a high-level meeting where the Pakistani government proposed exporting its surplus rice to the Philippines.
The DA is currently reviewing the proposal as part of a broader strategy to diversify the country’s rice sources and reduce overdependence on any single foreign supplier.
Despite the new trade talks, Tiu Laurel emphasized that self-sufficiency remains the government’s primary goal. He noted that imported rice is intended to “supplement and not substitute” local palay production.
The Secretary added that the move reflects the Philippines’ commitment to international trade cooperation and food security. In exchange, the Pakistani government expressed interest in importing Philippine agricultural products, including coconuts, seaweed, and fish.
The DA continues to focus on addressing structural challenges in local palay production and mitigating the impact of weather disruptions to support Filipino farmers.