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Filipinos appear to be increasingly preferring imported rice and the Department of Agriculture (DA) wants to know why.

Vietnamese rice seems to be in demand in particular and Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the Rice Industry Development Office to look into the matter.

It could mean that Filipinos are now prioritizing quality over quantity, particularly attributes such as texture, aroma, taste, and overall eating experience, Tiu Laurel said.

“This trend is worth watching. It may be telling us something important about what Filipino consumers are looking for,” he added.

“It may now be a question of quality over quantity and that could require a shift in our agricultural policy.”

The DA said Filipino consumers were now looking at rice beyond intermediate and low-amylose varieties that have a softer, stickier texture when cooked and a low gelatinization temperature that allows for better digestibility.

However, there is still a strong preference for long, slender grains and soft, well-cooked rice, it added.

Tiu-Laurel wants a comprehensive review of consumer preferences to help local farmers and millers adapt to changing market demands, improve grain quality and explore the possibility of exports.

Agriculture Undersecretary Christopher Morales, who heads the RIDO, said initial studies had shown that “in terms of quality, we have the varieties to compete with imported rice — if that is what the market requires.

In particular, local inbred and hybrid rice varieties such as Rc 218, Rc 160, Rc 480 and Rc 512 were found to have qualities similar to the ST25 premium Vietnamese rice variety.

ST25 was named the world's best rice in 2019. It is praised for its long, slender shape, fragrant aroma and taste. It also has a short cultivation period that allows for up to three harvests a year and is resistant to salinity and disease.

Vietnam remains the Philippines' primary source of rice imports, accounting for 74 percent of the country's total imports last year. Popular Vietnamese rice varieties in the country include DT8 and OM5451, the DA said.

It added that local rice breeders and farmers may be able to meet evolving consumer demands and effectively compete in domestic and international markets by focusing on high-quality, high-yielding, and resilient local rice varieties like Rc 160.

Source : msn