The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported a significant decline in rice imports, which fell to 641,000 metric tons (MT) from January to mid-March 2025, far below than the 1.2 million metric tons (MMT) recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
With weeks still left in March, import volumes are already noticeably lower. Month-by-month data shows January’s volume dropping to 277,000 MT from last year’s 430,000 MT, February’s declining to 267,000 MT from 342,000 MT, and just 97,000 MT recorded in the first half of March—a sharp decrease compared to the 415,000 MT imported in the entire March of 2024.
“Ibig sabihin nito, malaki talaga yung pumasok na imported na bigas last year, plus expectations na magiging maganda ang harvest this year,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. De Mesa said in a media briefing on March 19, 2025.
Asec. De Mesa cited a report by Indian-American agricultural economist Samarendu Mohanty, highlighting policy changes in India and the Philippines in late 2024 as key factors in reshaping the global rice market.
He explained that India’s decision to lift the import ban on non-basmati white rice, along with the Department of Agriculture’s “aggressive” market reforms under Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., helped drive global rice prices down from their recent highs.
These proactive measures include the implementation of a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on rice, intensified efforts against smuggling and hoarding, and stricter price monitoring in markets.
“Nagiging predictive na ngayon ang pangangailangan sa imported rice, which can be manifested dito sa mga datos ng mga pumapasok na imported na bigas sa bansa,” Asec. De Mesa said.
Meanwhile, import data for onions showed that 986 MT of yellow onions and 2,300 MT of red onions arrived in the country.
“For onion, ang pumasok na puting sibuyas, mula sa inapprove na 1,000 MT, 986 lang ang pumasok. Sa pulang sibuyas, ang pumasok ay 2,300 MT mula sa 3,000 MT na iniexpect,” he added.
Meanwhile, Asec. De Mesa also addressed reports from the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) alleging that three farmers had taken their own lives due to low palay farmgate prices and over-importation of rice.
“We have to validate iyong nangyari. We sympathize with our farmers. Gusto rin namin iparating sa kanila na nakatutok palagi ang DA pagdating sa mga ganitong isyu,” he said.
He stressed that the National Food Authority (NFA) has increased its palay buying price to provide better support for farmers. The new rate for dry and clean palay is now P24 per kilo, up from P23, while fresh palay is now priced at P18 per kilo, up from P17.
The NFA has also continued its purchasing operations to stabilize prices. Meanwhile, a report from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) indicates that farmgate prices for dry and clean palay in Central Luzon range between P22 to P23 per kilo.
Asec. De Mesa highlighted that the NFA budget for 2025 includes funding for additional warehouses, dryers, and rice mills to enhance postharvest facilities nationwide.
The DA is also strengthening its support for local rice production through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and the National Rice Program. Under RCEF, P30 billion will be allocated annually, with P6 billion for high-quality rice seeds, P9 billion for farm mechanization, P15 billion for extension and training, financial assistance, credit, soil improvement, solar-powered irrigation, and water impounding projects.
Additionally, the National Rice Program provides farmers with seeds, inputs, and fertilizers to boost production and ensure rice self-sufficiency. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
