Rice Import Restriction Extension Sought by DA
The rice import ban, which began on September 1, 2025, and is set to end on October 30, 2025, has had a positive impact on the farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice) in several provinces, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). The farmgate prices of palay in provinces such as Isabela and Nueva Ecija have risen, with prices ranging from P13 to P14 per kilogram. This is a significant improvement from the pre-ban prices, which dropped to as low as P8 to P10 per kilogram. The volume of imported rice has been influencing traders' buying prices for palay. As of Sept. 11, a total of 3.08 million metric tons of imported rice had entered the country, shipped from about 3,574 issuances of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has indicated that he is inclined to recommend extending the rice ban for at least 15 to 30 days. The DA will only allow the entry of imported rice shipped from the country of origin on or before Aug. 31, with arrival permitted until Sept. 15. The DA is set to submit its recommendation on whether to extend or lift the import ban on Sept. 30. The extension is aimed at continuing the positive impact on local palay prices. It should be noted that the Ministry of Agriculture had previously recommended lifting the rice import ban from January 1, 2024. However, the ban was approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to coincide with the peak wet season of palay harvest. The rice import ban has been beneficial for Filipino farmers, as it has helped to boost the farmgate prices of palay. The production cost of palay is P14 per kilogram, making the current prices a welcome relief for farmers. The DA will submit its final recommendation on Sept. 30, and a decision is expected to be made shortly thereafter. The extension of the rice import ban could provide further support for Filipino farmers during the ongoing harvest season.
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