By Dexter Barro II

The country’s rice imports expanded by nearly a quarter to over 3.6 million metric tons (MT) in the eight months through August, as foreign purchases ramped up to boost inventories ahead of the impact of El Niño.

The latest Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data showed that total rice imports reached 3.67 million MT by the end of August, up from 2.95 million MT in the same period last year.

The latest import volume already exceeded the full-year rice shipments of 3.39 million MT last year by more than eight percent, BPI data showed.

The bulk, or 72 percent, of the imported rice was sourced from Vietnam, with a total of 2.65 million MT as of Sept. 3.

The country also purchased rice from Thailand (435,002 MT), Myanmar (325,666 MT), Pakistan (152,128 MT), and Cambodia (96,715 MT).

Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said rice imports this year are on track to surpass the record high of 4.81 million MT in 2024, when the country also faced a strong El Niño.

“The initial projection could be around five [million MT], but maybe not more than five,” De Mesa told a press briefing on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

De Mesa said rice importation is expected to grow this year as the government looks to secure enough buffer stock ahead of the upcoming El Niño phenomenon.

As it stands, El Niño stands to slash domestic production of palay, or unmilled rice, by around 700,000 MT this year, he said.

De Mesa, however, said the adverse weather condition is projected to become a more apparent disruptor to rice production during the dry-season harvest early next year.

“This year, we do not see an impact of El Niño on our overall supply. It will be the first semester next year, where there will be a potential impact,” the DA official said.

“So, 2027 is the more challenging year compared to 2026,” he added.

To limit the impact of El Niño on rice production, the DA is set to secure an allocation of ₱6.2 billion under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program to provide intervention measures.

De Mesa said the funding would provide direct support to farmers and fisherfolk in the form of fertilizer and fuel assistance in preparation for El Niño.

He said the priority of this program would be beneficiaries in areas that are not expected to feel the brunt of the weather phenomenon, helping them increase their output.

Meanwhile, farmers who are likely to be affected will be provided with alternative sources of livelihood, such as another commodity or livestock raising, to ensure their consistent income.

De Mesa said the DA will request another ₱10 billion to be allocated to the agency’s budget for next year, specifically for its El Niño response.

Published Date: September 10, 2026