BILYONARYO.COM

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has called on the government to reinstate the 35% tariff on rice imports ahead of the lifting of the import ban, as palay prices remain soft.

FFF national manager Raul Montemayor said palay traders expect imported rice to flood the market once the import ban is lifted and are buying at low prices to stay competitive.

“The proposal to extend the import ban for another 15 to 30 days will not change this perception,” Montemayor explained.

He said raising tariffs would encourage traders to buy palay at higher prices, especially since the National Food Authority’s (NFA) procurement efforts are hardly felt by farmers.

Despite the declaration of a food emergency that allowed the NFA to sell its inventory, a large portion of its stocks remains. The FFF said the agency’s stocks are deteriorating, and attempts to bid them out have apparently failed.

The FFF suggested that the NFA tap large farmer cooperatives as satellite buying stations to reach more farmers, noting that these groups already have the necessary facilities.

“These cooperatives have warehouses, dryers, trucks, personnel, and other assets that can help the NFA buy, store, mill, and distribute its stocks at lower cost,” Montemayor added.

Published Date: September 26, 2025