Planters Products Inc. (PPI), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), has re-entered the fertilizer trade after a 43-year hiatus, importing 120,000 bags of 14-14-14 inorganic fertilizer from Vietnam to help lower production costs and improve rice yields ahead of the planting season.
The arrival of the fertilizer was marked at the Orion dockyard and attended by PPI officials, Bureau of Customs representatives, and DA Region 3 executives. The 14-14-14 blend contains balanced nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—essential for plant growth and pest resistance.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda. He noted that the current stock could cover up to 20,000 hectares and benefit around 20,000 rice farmers.
PPI COO Roberto Antonio said the company’s comeback signals a renewed commitment to affordable, high-quality farm inputs and national food security. PPI last imported fertilizer in 1982 and is now exploring long-term partnerships to stabilize supply and pricing.
PPI used to supply two-thirds of the country’s fertilizer requirements and helped sustain the 1970s food security program called Masagana 99.
