Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the country is cautiously considering rice imports from Pakistan to diversify its supplier base and expand trade relations beyond its traditional partners.
Following a meeting with a Pakistani delegation, Tiu Laurel noted that Pakistani officials expressed interest in supplying their surplus rice production to the Philippines.
While open to the proposal, he said that any imports would be calibrated to domestic requirements as the government continues to prioritize strengthening local output.
“The Philippines welcomes Pakistani rice, but imports will be limited strictly to what the country needs. We will not over-import. Food security comes first,” Tiu Laurel said.
Despite efforts to boost production, the Philippines remains among the world’s largest rice importers. Overseas suppliers are used to address supply gaps driven by weather disruptions, rising demand and structural challenges in the farm sector.
Tiu Laurel said reliable international partners remain essential as the country works toward greater self-sufficiency.
Pakistan’s offer comes as Manila reviews its sourcing strategy to avoid over-dependence on any single supplier. The government reiterated that rice imports will remain a complement to, rather than a substitute for, domestic production.
The Department of Agriculture said any prospective imports from Pakistan will be subject to existing regulatory, sanitary and quality requirements as technical discussions continue.
The bilateral meeting also explored wider trade opportunities in agricultural and non-agricultural products.
This includes Pakistan’s demand for buffalo meat and its openness to importing more Philippine products such as coconuts, seaweeds and fish. The Department of Agriculture said these partnerships are geared toward stabilizing supply chains amid global market volatility, climate risks and geopolitical uncertainty.
