No reason for more rice imports — Imee Marcos

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has no reason to import more rice into the country, Senator Imee Marcos said Tuesday noting that local farmers are producing ample supply for the country.

“The DA has no reason to call for any more rice imports which will only push down farmgate prices of palay. Our farmers are doing a great job producing more than ample domestic supply,” Marcos said in a statement.

“Also, there are no remaining valid sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPS-ICs) to justify more rice imports this year,” she  added, mentioning data from DA's rice supply outlook.

The lawmaker said the projected 5.13 million metric tons of rice produced locally in the third quarter will exceed the demand of 3.7 million metric tons and it will provide a buffer stock of 1.43 million metric tons by the end of September.

She added that in the fourth quarter, the local rice supply is seen to reach 6.24 million metric tons against the demand of 4.02 million metric tons. This will leave an additional buffer stock of 2.22 million metric tons by the end of the year.

"In effect, rice harvests in the third and fourth quarters will provide the country with a total buffer stock of 3.65 million metric tons by year end, good for 55 to 60 days," she said.

Marcos further said the National Food Authority is required to have a rice buffer stock of 15 to 30 days for national consumption.—AOL, GMA News