Rice importation resumes after four-month ban

MANILA, January 23 ------ The Philippines resumed rice importation this month, after being suspended last year in a bid to help local farmers cope with falling prices. The rice importation ban started on September 1 last year and ended on the last day of 2025. Despite rice trade being liberalized, the Department of Agriculture made an agreement with key stakeholders to limit imports to 300,000 MT until February. "Yung case last year, ang pumasok na bigas 3.38 million metric tons, compare mo yan noong 2024, 4.8 million metric tons, ang laki ng difference, 1.5 million metric tons," said Asec. Arnel de Mesa, spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture.

To address port congestion in Manila, rice imports will be allowed to enter through additional ports, particularly in Bataan and Poro Point in La Union. De Mesa said imports should arrive by February 28, so this does not coincide with the peak of the harvest season. "Kailangan syempre may permit. Kapag dumating beyond those dates, babalik sa source country at the expense of the importers," De Mesa said. He added that there was no significant movement in rice prices while the ban was in effect. Meanwhile, early harvest has started, and the NFA will be buying palay at P17-21 per kilo.

The DA said it aims to stabilize rice prices in commercial markets at around P42 per kilo. The department also reported that in 2025, they expanded the availability of P20/kilo rice in 82 provinces, selling 24,000 metric tons of rice from May to December 2025.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com