PHL to export 100 MT premium rice to select markets

The Philippines is testing the market and its product by shipping around 100 metric tons (MT) of premium rice to Dubai, Macau, Hong Kong, and the United States, an Agriculture official told reporters Thursday. On the sidelines of the 1st Hybrid Rice Congress in Nueva Ecija, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program Coordinator Dante Delima said 50 metric tons will be shipped out this month. Hong Kong and Macau will received 15 MT of black rice from Tiaong, Quezon and 20 MT of Jasponica brown and 20 MT of Jasponica white produced by SL Agritech Corporation. Dubai will also received 15 MT of long grain aromatic white rice from Region 12. The export this month is a trial shipment, according to the Agriculture official, saying he expects to turn it into regular shipments banking on the quality of rice. Contracted for shipment to the US by the third quarter is 50 MT including 20 MT of heirloom rice  from Cordillera and 30 MT of Dinorado rice from Regions 11 and 12. “Our strongest competition in Hong Kong is Thailand but we produce good quality rice. Our black rice, for instance has better quality,” said Delima. The total volume will be double to 200 MT next year if the shipments this year are successful, he added. According to the Agriculture Department, the goal is to export around 300,000 MT by 2016 to offset the 350,000 MT of imported rice that enter the Philippine market. — VS, GMA News