The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) has endorsed the Department of Agriculture’s recommendation for the President to impose a P50-per-kilogram price ceiling on imported 5% broken rice for 30 days, aiming to curb rising costs and prevent market abuse.
Based on Republic Act No. 7581, as amended, and aligned with Executive Order No. 110, the resolution seeks to keep rice affordable for Filipino consumers while maintaining market stability.
The NPCC has formally transmitted its recommendation to Malacañang for the issuance of an executive order implementing the temporary measure.
Market analysts noted that rice prices remain under pressure due to rising transport and input costs and exchange rate fluctuations, which have pushed up the landed cost of imported rice.
Despite these challenges, national rice stocks have been bolstered by a combination of local production and imports, providing a buffer ahead of the lean season.
The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that the country’s total rice import requirement was around 3.6 million metric tons in 2025, with 2026 projected at 3.9 million metric tons.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines imported 408,860 metric tons of rice in January 2026, amounting to $159.37 million in FOB value. Vietnam supplied the bulk, accounting for 93% of the total import value, followed by Thailand and Myanmar with about 3.2% each.
Smaller contributions came from the Republic of Korea, India, Italy, and a few other countries. The figures cover milled rice only and exclude paddy or rough rice.
The January surge in imports came even though the Department of Agriculture had previously agreed with key stakeholders to limit rice imports to 300,000 metric tons until the end of February, citing strong demand and continued reliance on imports to stabilize supply.
The Department of Agriculture said the temporary price ceiling is intended as a short-term measure to protect consumers while balancing the needs of importers and local farmers.
