Rice imports down to 3.37 million MT in 2025

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines imported a total of 3.37 million metric tons (MT) of rice in 2025, down 30% from 2024’s 4.8 million MT, according to latest data from the Bureau of Plant Industry.

The dip was the result of the government’s four-month suspension on rice imports beginning September until end of the year, resorted to supposedly protect local farmers selling palay at peak harvest season.

Department of Agriculture spokesman Arnel de Mesa said Thursday, January 8, that the import suspension “proved that even without imported rice, there was no swift increase [in prices].”

“What this means is the rice that enters the country is beyond what we need,” De Mesa said in a mix of Filipino and English.

In December, the country imported just 27,000 MT of rice, the lowest volume in 2025, compared with 505,000 MT in May, the year’s peak.

The country resumed rice importations January 2026 and has imposed a flexible tariff scheme ranging from 15% to 35%. According to Executive Order No. 105, there will be an increase in rice import duty by five percentage points per five percent decrease in international rice prices.

In 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lowered rice tariffs from 35% to 15% to tame prices. – Rappler.com