PHL no longer importing rice next year — DA's Alcala

(Updated 2:02 p.m.) The Philippines will no longer import rice next year, following an approved inbound shipment of 187,000 metric tons to secure the country's buffer stock of the grain this year, a Cabinet official said Thursday.

 

“Zero importation na tayo sa 2014,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala revealed in a forum in Ateneo de Manila University Thursday morning.

 

Alcala also said the National Food Authority council approved the importation of 187,000 metric tons (MT) of rice for 2013 to “cover buffer stock needs.”

 

The possible suppliers are Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, through bilateral trade deals. "We just need it for buffer stock so there is no need to engage the private sector," according to the Agriculture chief.

 

Bidding is set for April so the shipment can arrive in the Philippines by June—ahead of the lean season.

 

The Philippines estimates palay or paddy rice output to reach 20.4 million MT this year from 18.03 million produced in 2012. 

 

Last year, the Philippines allowed the importation of some 500,000 MT of rice, around 120,000 MT of which was imported by the NFA for buffer stock.

 

Alcala also revealed the NFA council is deliberating on exporting yellow corn in 2014. "If it is determined that the local supply is enough, we might as well allow exportation so that storage will not be a problem," he said.

 

Local buyers will have the right of first refusal before foreign buyers are allowed to make their bids. Farm gate corn is now going at P11.50 per kilo. — SOA/VS, GMA News