Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on Wednesday that the Philippine government will impose a 60-day rice importation ban and defer a decision on tariff hikes to protect both Filipino farmers and consumers. This decision follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approval of the Department of Agriculture’s request for a temporary suspension of rice imports starting September 1, coinciding with the peak harvest season.
Tiu Laurel emphasized the need for a balanced approach to ensure local palay (unhusked rice) producers receive fair income while keeping retail rice prices affordable for consumers. “We are walking a tightrope here. The stakes are high for both our farmers and the Filipino people, so we must strike the right balance,” he stated.
Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa praised the President’s prompt action, calling it a timely relief for palay farmers as the wet cropping season harvest begins in mid-August, with peak harvesting expected between September and October. “We thank the President for his immediate response to the recommendation of the department,” de Mesa added.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) recommended the import suspension due to the country’s high rice inventory, which is impacting retail and farmgate prices. As of July 1, the total rice stock reached a four-year high of 2.815 million metric tons, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Tiu Laurel also noted that the decision to hold off on increasing tariffs from 15 percent to 25 percent is part of a measured response to protect consumers. “If this strategy leads to higher farmgate prices and better income for our farmers, we may no longer need to raise the tariff,” he explained.
As of Tuesday, the price of premium imported rice in Metro Manila ranged from PHP42 to PHP48 per kilogram, while local rice prices varied from PHP30 to PHP60 per kilogram, depending on the type. In July 2024, Marcos issued Executive Order 62, which reduced tariffs on imported rice to 15 percent from 35 percent to help stabilize retail prices.