Rice imports declined by nearly half in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
DA assistant secretary Arnel de Mesa said rice imports from January to mid-March stood at slightly over 600,000 metric tons—or half of the 1.2 million metric tons recorded in the same period last year.
“Last year, monthly rice imports averaged 400,000 metric tons. This year, it has dropped to about 200,000 metric tons per month from January to March,” de Mesa said in a briefing Wednesday.
He attributed the decline to higher import volumes in late 2024, reducing the need for additional shipments in early 2025.
De Mesa also pointed to a possible improved domestic rice production as another contributing factor.
The government expects production to return to the 20-million-metric-ton level, or close to the record 20.06 million metric tons harvested in 2023.
That year, rice imports totaled only 3.6 million metric tons.
Meanwhile, the National Food Authority (NFA) allocated over P9 billion this year, including unspent funds from 2024, which could allow for increased procurement of local rice.
Warehouse and silo expansion efforts will take time to enhance storage capacity.
De Mesa clarified that the government does not directly control import levels, as rice importation is primarily managed by the private sector.
“The government aims for a fair market price—somewhere between P42 to P45 per kilogram—to keep farm gate prices of dry and clean palay at P21 to P23 per kilogram. This prevents undue burden on consumers while ensuring fair earnings for farmers,” de Mesa said.
While the NFA’s procurement capacity remains limited, the DA is actively seeking ways to bolster local rice supply and support farmers in the face of fluctuating market conditions, he said.