Philippines to start rice importation by January 2026 with new tariff rates
The Philippines will restart rice imports in January to secure adequate buffer stocks. A new tariff rate will be decided by mid-December. Although the import ban on regular and well-milled rice remains in place until end-2025, officials say tariffs will not immediately return to 35% to avoid pushing consumer prices higher.
The Philippines will resume importing rice by January next year, with a new tariff rate to be imposed on the imported grain, which will be determined by mid-December this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.
“Definitely we have to start importing by January because we have to ensure we have enough buffer stock for the next harvest season,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said at a press briefing in Quezon City.
This came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 102 which extended the import ban on regular milled and well-milled rice until December 31, 2025.
The ban was first ordered by Marcos in August, and was initially set to last only until October 30, 2025.
“As far as the tariff is concerned, I am not promoting bringing it back to 35% immediately,” Tiu Laurel said.
“Because if we start buying, currently we are not buying from the rest of the world, the international price will go up, so if we immediately bring it up to 35%… consumers will be affected,” he said.
To recall, Marcos, under Executive Order 62 issued in June 2024, lowered tariff rates for rice to 15% until 2028 from 35%.
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Source : GMA
