Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signaled that the government could extend the suspension on rice importations beyond October, citing early signs that local farmers are finally benefiting from higher palay prices.
The moratorium, imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., initially covered the peak harvest months of September and October to prevent imported rice from depressing farmgate rates. But Laurel now sees merit in keeping the import doors closed a bit longer.
“Based on the preliminary figures we are validating, there is a strong case to prolong the suspension for at least another 15 to 30 days,” Laurel said. “We are seeing improvements, and we want to give our farmers a fairer shot at better returns.”
According to the Department of Agriculture, wet palay prices have surged in several areas since the import freeze took effect. In parts of Mindanao, farmgate prices nearly doubled to around ₱17 a kilo from only ₱8–₱10 in the past weeks. In top rice-producing provinces like Isabela and Nueva Ecija, prices reached ₱13–₱14 a kilo, a modest but notable climb.
Still, farmers argue that profits remain elusive. The DA estimates the break-even cost of production at roughly ₱14 a kilo, dipping to ₱12 for the most efficient growers.
Laurel underscored that rice import volumes remain the single biggest factor driving local palay prices—hence the bold suspension order. He also renewed calls to amend the Rice Tariffication Law of 2019, which opened the floodgates to private rice imports.
Proposed changes would restore the National Food Authority’s ability to regulate shipments and stabilize prices, a reform that President Marcos has already tagged as urgent. The agriculture chief is set to sit down with lawmakers in the coming days to hammer out the details of the amendments.
For now, the question is how long the gates to imported rice will stay shut—and whether local farmers can finally gain the breathing space they have long demanded.