Rice imports could fill Philippine supply gaps amid private US plan
A private-sector agreement could bring in 100,000 metric tonnes of US rice in 2027, rising to 200,000 metric tonnes annually from 2028.
Rice imports remain necessary to meet Philippine demand and avoid food insecurity, the National Food Authority (NFA) said on October 13, amid reports of a private-sector proposal to buy US rice. The agency said domestic production meets about 70% to 78% of the country’s rice requirements.
Speaking to Super Radyo dzBB, NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the government was not involved in the proposed purchases. He described them as a private initiative and said he did not know whether they would proceed.
The Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) and USA Rice reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding that could enable imports from 2027. Under the agreement, PRISM could purchase 100,000 metric tonnes of US rice, in bags and bulk, that year. The annual volume could reach 200,000 metric tonnes from 2028.
Lacson said the NFA neither imports rice nor handles permits for the proposed purchases. He added that the agency has no regulatory authority over those imports.
According to Lacson, the Department of Agriculture has stated a domestic production target of five million metric tonnes for 2026. He said that amount would be insufficient for the national buffer stock without imports, and that imports allow the stock to last 75 days.
