The Philippines will import around 500,000 metric tons (MT) of rice in January after a four-month import pause, with shipments subject to a higher tariff, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Of the total volume, 450,000 MT will be opened to private stakeholders, while 50,000 MT will be allocated to government agencies. In a statement on Tuesday, December 16, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Bureau of Plant Industry will start processing sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance applications ahead of the lifting of the import ban.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier ordered a temporary halt to rice imports beginning September, later extending it to year-end, to shield farmers from falling palay prices caused by increased foreign supply.
“All shipments must arrive by mid-February to prevent imported rice from weighing on palay prices at the start of the summer harvest,” the DA said.
Starting January 1, 2026, rice imports will face a 20 percent tariff, up from the current 15 percent, following the Economy and Development Council’s adoption of a “gradual and flexible” tariff adjustment.
“The tariff increase reflects several realities—the recent depreciation of the peso and the likelihood of higher global prices once the Philippines reenters the market,” Tiu Laurel said.
Marcos had reduced the rice import tariff from 35 percent to 15 percent in June last year.
Asked if tariffs could be raised further in 2026, Tiu Laurel said: “It depends sa price ng world market.”