Philippines suspends rice imports for 60 days to support local farmers
In his directive, Marcos said the move was necessary to allow the domestic market to absorb local production.
PHILIPPINES – President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has ordered a 60-day suspension of regular and well-milled rice importation starting September 1, 2025, to bolster local farmers and stabilize rice prices during the peak harvest season, Malacañang has announced.
The directive, formalized through Executive Order (EO) 93 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 29, follows a recommendation from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The suspension, effective until October 30, 2025, aims to prioritize the absorption of locally produced rice in the domestic market, stabilize prices, and ensure Filipino farmers receive fair prices for their palay (unmilled rice).
“There is a need to suspend the importation of regular milled and well-milled rice for 60 days, which will coincide with the peak of harvest season, to enable the domestic market to absorb the local supply, stabilize prices, and help Filipino farmers sell their palay at a fair and reasonable price,” President Marcos stated in the order.
He clarified that the suspension excludes specialty rice varieties not commonly produced locally.
The DA reported that strong local rice production in early 2025, combined with a surge in imported rice due to reduced tariff rates, has led to a significant drop in market prices. As of July 1, the country’s rice inventory reached a four-year high of 2.815 million metric tons, including 1.3 million MT in commercial stocks, 1 million MT in households, and 447,575 MT with the National Food Authority, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
This high inventory has impacted retail and farmgate prices, with fresh palay prices ranging from P8.33 to P17 (US$0.14-US$0.29) per kilo and dry palay fetching P15 to P22 (US$0.25- US$0.38) per kilo, according to the Philippine Rice Research Institute. The DA noted that the import suspension aims to protect farmers from further price declines caused by excess supply.
Under Republic Act (RA) 12078, the President is authorized to suspend rice imports when excessive supply leads to significant price drops. The Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203) also allows temporary import bans to safeguard local farmers.
The suspension’s duration may be adjusted based on a joint recommendation from the DA, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). These agencies are tasked with evaluating the suspension’s impact on rice supply and prices within 30 days of its effectivity and submitting recommendations to the President within 15 days thereafter.
The DA will lead the implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the suspension, ensuring sufficient rice supply during the period. The agency, in coordination with DEPDev and DTI, will regularly report to the President on local rice supply and prices. Additionally, the DA, Bureau of Customs, and DTI will issue guidelines to ensure effective coordination among government agencies for the order’s successful execution.
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