By Stephanie Sevillano

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for a modest increase in tariffs on imported rice to at least 25 percent from the current 15 percent, which will support local farmers.

This is part of the Marcos administration’s target measure to gradually revert to the original 35 percent tariff on imported rice, a year after the implementation of reduced duties to help lower soaring retail rice prices.

DA Assistant Secretary and deputy spokesperson Joycel Panlilio said a gradual return to higher tariffs is now being considered to protect local farmers while avoiding shocks in the market.

“Tinitingnan percentage ng rice tariff natin (We are looking into our tariff percentage) for imported rice that’s around 25 percent. But it’s not yet final dahil mamaya po ay meron pong pagpupulong ang DA with DepDev (Department of Economy, Planning, and Development) para pag-usapan nga itong gradual increase ng tariff para maiwasan po yung shock sa merkado (because later there will be a meeting between the DA and DepDev to discuss the gradual tariff increase to prevent a market shock),” Panlilio said in a press briefing, citing ongoing meetings for the periodic tariff review.

Panlilio said the gradual reversion would influence both the supply of imported rice and rice retail prices in the country.

As of July 29, the prevailing prices of imported premium and well-milled rice in Metro Manila are PHP45 per kg. and PHP46 per kg., and PHP40/kg. for imported regular-milled rice, according to the DA Bantay Presyo.

The price of premium imported rice, meanwhile, is between PHP42 and PHP48/kg.; imported well-milled rice from PHP38 to PHP50/kg.; and imported regular-milled rice from PHP33 to PHP45/kg.

The prices of premium local rice are between PHP42 and PHP60/kg.; local well-milled rice, PHP37 to PHP52/kg.; and local regular-milled rice, PHP30 to PHP45/kg.; with prevailing prices set at PHP50, PHP45, and PHP40, respectively.

Panlilio added that raising the rice tariff could help boost the farmgate prices of palay (unhusked rice), providing much-needed support to local farmers.

“Should the higher rice tariff be approved, we can expect that the good effect on our farmers is that the farmgate price of palay will increase,” she said. 

Earlier, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said the “flooding” of cheaper imported rice in the country, set at PHP23 to PHP25 per kg. landed costs, have taken a toll on farmers as some traders set an unreasonable palay buying price during the dry harvest season.

The group reported that the palay buying price plunged to as low as PHP5 per kg. in Nueva Ecija in early July. 

The NFA’s buying price, however, has been higher than some of the traders’ prices, set at PHP17 per kg for fresh and wet palay and up to PHP24 per kg. for clean and dry palay, under the Price Range Scheme (PRICERS). 

(PNA)

Published Date: July 31, 2025