The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to raise the country’s corn minimum access volume (MAV) to 500,000 metric tons (MT), more than doubling the current 216,940 MT. The move seeks to cushion livestock and poultry industries from rising feed expenses, secure supply amid weather risks, and help keep retail food prices stable.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the proposal was developed with industry stakeholders and submitted to the MAV Management Committee, before being endorsed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It responds to concerns over tighter supplies expected from a stronger El Niño, high fertilizer costs, and global disruptions — including conflicts in the Middle East affecting shipping and input prices.
Under existing rules, corn imports within the MAV carry a 5 percent tariff; volumes beyond that face 15 percent duty. Yellow corn is a key feed ingredient, and cost spikes directly drive up prices of chicken, eggs, and pork — factors that contributed to inflation rising to 7.2 percent in April before easing slightly in May.
Officials stressed this is a temporary, calibrated measure, not a permanent policy change. Imports will only be used when necessary and designed to avoid harming local farmers. Last year, the Philippines produced 8.32 million MT of corn, a 2.2 percent increase from 2024.
