The country’s rice stocks improved in December, but the government still plans to import more rice this year.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the country’s rice stock inventory as of end December was enough for 89 days. Rice stocks increased 21.6 percent to 3.03 million metric tons in December from 2.49 million MT a year ago.
PSA said of the total inventory, 51.7 percent were with households, 32.3 percent in commercial warehouses and 16 percent in National Food Authority depositories.
Rice stocks in households grew 9 percent while stocks in commercial warehouses increased 25.9 percent. Stocks in NFA depositories also increased 62 percent.
NFA earlier said it might import 600,000 metric tons of rice this year to boost the country’s buffer stocks. NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said the inter-agency council of the NFA recommended the import volume.
“This is the volume advised by the inter-agency council. We have a standby authority to import.. but the NFA Council will have the final say if we will have to import,” Dalisay said.