The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Friday that it is leaning toward recommending an extension of the ongoing rice import ban by at least two more weeks.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier approved the 60-day suspension of rice imports, effective from September 1 to October 30, to coincide with the peak of the wet season palay (unhusked rice) harvest.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the measure has already shown positive results, particularly in helping Filipino farmers by pushing farmgate prices upward.
“Pending data validation, I am now inclined to recommend that the President extend the ban for at least 15 to 30 days,” Laurel stated.
Before the ban, farmgate prices of wet palay had plunged to as low as ₱8 to ₱10 per kilo, but have since rebounded, reaching as high as ₱17 per kilo in parts of Mindanao.
Still, Laurel admitted that many farmers are not yet in the clear. “In provinces like Isabela and Nueva Ecija, prices have risen to ₱3 to ₱14 per kilo. Although these prices are still not profitable for most farmers, they are an improvement,” he said.
The secretary underscored that imported rice volumes remain a decisive factor in shaping how traders buy palay. As of September 11, about 3.08 million metric tons of imported rice had already entered the country through some 3,574 issued sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC).
Under the current policy, only rice shipments that left their country of origin on or before August 31 are allowed, with arrivals permitted until September 15.
The DA is expected to finalize and submit its recommendation on September 30, determining whether the ban should be extended or lifted.