More than 247,000 metric tons (MT) of imported rice have been in stock as of January 22, 2026, according to data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), underscoring the government’s efforts to manage food supply while protecting local farmers.
BPI data showed that 247,272.69 MT of rice arrived during the period, with Vietnam supplying the bulk at 225,359.69 MT, or about 91 percent of total imports. Smaller volumes came from Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea, and India. Of the total, around 232,854 MT were regular rice, while about 12,225 MT were specialty varieties, covered by 142 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances.
The early arrivals followed the lifting of a temporary rice import ban that was in effect from September 15 to December 31, 2025. The Department of Agriculture (DA) said imports are being carefully managed to stabilize supply and prices, especially as the country moves toward the main harvest season.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said rice millers and importers committed to continue buying palay from farmers at minimum prices of P17 per kilo for wet palay and P21 per kilo for dry palay, depending on quality. He stressed that protecting farmgate prices remains a priority even as imports resume.
The DA noted that rice stocks are currently tight, with milling increasingly dependent on newly harvested palay from areas such as Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. More provinces, including Pangasinan, Ilocos, Bulacan, and La Union, are expected to begin harvesting by February, with larger volumes projected by mid-March.
To prevent sharp retail price increases while avoiding harm to farmers during peak harvest, the DA is consulting traders on import volumes. An initial import volume of about 300,000 MT is being considered for February, subject to review based on market conditions. Importers have been allowed to apply for clearances, provided shipments arrive on or before February 28, 2026.
The DA also said rice tariffs will not be raised until at least February and that details are being finalized to avoid market speculation. The National Food Authority will continue to refrain from competing with private traders as long as agreed minimum buying prices for palay are observed.
As of January 29, retail prices in Metro Manila showed local well-milled rice selling at about P44.89 per kilo and local regular milled rice at P40.94 per kilo. Imported well-milled rice was priced at around P46.30 per kilo, while imported regular milled rice sold for about P40.22 per kilo.
Officials said the calibrated import program is aimed at ensuring food security, keeping rice affordable for consumers, and preventing a collapse in farmgate prices as the main harvest season approaches.
