Philippines increases lower-tariff corn import quota to 500,000 metric tons
The government cites a projected yellow corn deficit, while agricultural groups warn that additional imports could reduce local farmers’ earnings.
The Philippines has raised its minimum access volume (MAV) quota for corn imports from 220,000 metric tons to 500,000 metric tons under an order issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The government says the increase is intended to address a projected supply shortage.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto signed Executive Order No. 129 for Marcos on October 26. It adds 280,000 metric tons to the quota against an expected yellow corn deficit of about 1.422 million metric tons for March to December 2026.
The additional quota permits more corn to be imported at lower tariffs. The order warned that a domestic shortage could raise animal-feed costs, increasing the cost of producing pork and poultry and pushing up retail prices.
Agricultural groups have questioned whether consumers would benefit. Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) opposed the proposal, challenging whether reduced import tariffs would deliver meaningful savings. Critics also warned that imports arriving alongside local harvests could lower farm-gate prices and hurt farmers’ earnings.
The Department of Agriculture had sought the increase, pointing to El Niño and Middle East tensions as possible threats to corn supplies and feed costs. Congress did not act on the recommendation within the legally prescribed period, following a House briefing on October 6.
The MAV Management Committee must issue rules for allocating and distributing the extra quota within 30 days of the order taking effect.
