By Othel V. Campos

The Philippines could secure a new source of rice imports from the United States under an agreement targeting 100,000 tons of US-origin rice in 2027 and 200,000 tons annually from 2028.

The USA Rice Federation (USA Rice) and the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM) signed a memorandum of understanding in Manila on Oct. 7, 2026 to facilitate the proposed trade, which could restore the United States as a larger supplier to the Philippine market.

The agreement covers the supply and purchase of bagged and/or bulk US rice. The two groups committed to working with their industry members and the Philippine government to facilitate the trade flows.

The volumes would give Philippine rice importers another source of supply as the country manages growing import requirements and seeks to strengthen food-security buffers. It could also reopen a significant market for US exporters, who are seeking viable export destinations.

“Rice has a historic role as a part of the US-Philippine relationship so I was happy to sign this agreement here that recognizes our history and moves our industries forward,” said USA Rice president and chief executive Peter Bachmann.

The United States was a major rice supplier to the Philippines from 1999 to 2007, primarily through cooperation with the National Food Authority.

US exporters also supplied large volumes of rice to support Philippine food security in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

PRISM co-founder Rowena Del Rosario-Sadicon said closer ties with the US rice industry could benefit both markets beyond the proposed trade volumes.

“We are very happy to be working with the US rice industry to facilitate trade with the Philippines and look for the many ways our industries can work together,” she said.

The groups signed the MOU on the sidelines of the World Rice Conference, hosted by The Rice Trader, after months of discussions.

Published Date: October 8, 2026