PHL preparing to export high-value rice to US, Europe, Middle East in 2013

The government is getting ready for the implementation of its rice export program in 2013, which will include the shipment of fancy, organic rice varieties to the US and Europe. Part of the preparation is the construction of irrigation facilities, farm mechanization facilities and post-harvest facilities. “We are putting in place all the intervention measures needed to enable our farmers, with assistance from the government, of course, to export specialty rice to other countries,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. The program will focus on shipping out high-value rice to export markets, including organic colored rice (black, red, and brown varieties) and aromatic rice. “The long-grain aromatic rice we are going to export to the Middle East, possibly [to] Dubai, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We are putting in order the most viable packaging we can get and even traceability. We are certain that what we will be exporting are world-class rice,” said Alcala. The rice export, he said, will be aggressively pursued whether or not the country meets its self-sufficiency target in 2013. If the country’s target of 17.8 million metric tons is achieved in 2012, then it will have reached a sufficiency level of 95 percent. It was at 94 percent in 2011. The government plans to reduce its rice importation to only 100,000 metric tons (MT). — BM, GMA News