Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has recommended to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. the extension of the temporary rice importation ban until December 31, 2025, to help maintain stable palay prices and protect local farmers.
According to Laurel, prolonging the import ban would sustain market stability and ensure that rice producers continue to benefit from fair pricing.
Marcos earlier imposed the two-month import ban, which was set to expire on October 31.
Laurel explained that since the policy was implemented, farmgate prices of palay in major rice-producing provinces such as Isabela and Nueva Ecija have already increased to ₱13–₱14 per kilo, compared to the previous ₱8 per kilo before the import restriction took effect.
He said the proposed extension would give the Department of Agriculture (DA) more time to closely monitor and assess the impact of the measure on both farmgate and retail rice markets.