A group of stakeholders in the rice industry has called on the government to conduct consultations and provide clear guidelines on the planned 60-day suspension of rice importation, warning of possible supply gaps and confusion among importers and traders.
Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) co-founder Orlando Manuntag said they fully support the government’s goal of protecting local farmers, but emphasized that the import ban, set to take effect from September 1 to October 31, must be thoroughly studied in light of recent weather disturbances and the country’s current rice supply status.
“We agree with the government’s thrust to increase tariffs to protect our farmers. But suspending rice imports needs to be reviewed carefully. We’re already dealing with typhoons and climate disruptions. We need clear guidelines,” he said in a recent interview.
Manuntag added that without a defined mechanism in place, confusion could arise among rice traders and millers, who risk making costly procurement decisions without a guarantee of importation timelines or tariff conditions.
“Many stakeholders are asking—will we be allowed to bring in rice if we have SPS permits already? Or is everything suspended across the board?” he noted.
Manuntag also pointed to concerns about the sufficiency of the country’s rice supply, with government data showing that the Philippines’ rice self-sufficiency level has hovered at around 78 percent since 2023, far below the 100 percent mark needed to be fully self-reliant.
“This means we have a 22-percent gap in domestic supply. Last year, we imported 4.8 million metric tons of rice. This year, the USDA projects 5 million metric tons. As of July, we’re only at 2.4 million metric tons,” he said.
The group warned that suspending imports for two months could put pressure on the country’s buffer stock, especially with the National Food Authority (NFA) holding only eight to nine days’ worth of rice as of recent estimates.
Daily rice consumption in the Philippines averages around 37,000 metric tons, or roughly 740,000 cavans.
Manuntag warned that if imports are halted while harvest is still peaking, there could be serious challenges in maintaining a stable supply and prices.
He also called on the government to provide a recommended buying price for palay, noting that current market prices range from P13 to P14 per kilo, well below the 2023 cost of production of P13.40 per kilo, and that without a set price, traders might hesitate to buy while farmers might sell at a loss.
Manuntag stressed that while PRISM supports tariff adjustments, such as the planned hike from 15 to 25 percent to address declining farmgate prices, these should be implemented gradually and in coordination with stakeholders.
“Last year, the tariff drop helped bring down market prices. But we also saw how it hurt those who imported early at higher rates. Now that we’re tightening supply again, we urge the government to study the suspension closely. Let’s not risk our food security,” he said.
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