Rice arrivals rose by 18.16 percent year-on-year to over 1.6 million metric tons (MMT) as of end-April, based on latest government data.

Figures from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) showed that rice shipments from January to April reached 1.68 MMT, up from 1.42 MMT recorded in the same period last year.

Of the volume that arrived in the Philippines, more than 1.45 MMT came from Vietnam, which maintained its status as the country’s top supplier of the staple grain. This was followed by Thailand at 104,052.93 metric tons (MT).

The Philippines also purchased rice from other countries, including Myanmar (72,147.15 MT), Cambodia (35,565 MT), India (8,871.4 MT), and Pakistan (1,646 MT).

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said rising regional demand, exacerbated by the Middle East crisis and potential production concerns from another El Niño event, has made stable imports a priority.

As such, the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed on a one-year arrangement for 1.5 MMT of rice to ensure constant entry of shipments through April 2027.

“Securing import volumes until next April is crucial amid geopolitical uncertainties and climate risks,” he said, noting the importance of a sufficient stockpile to stabilize prices.

With the global oil crisis triggered by the Middle East war driving up costs of critical farm inputs, together with the threats posed by El Niño on local plantations, the DA said rice imports could reach a new record-high in 2026.

This, as the DA revised downward its palay production outlook this year to a range of 18.6 MMT to 18.8 MMT, should fertilizer and pump prices continue their upward momentum. If realized, the latest outlook will be the lowest production level in 10 years.

In 2024, the country’s rice imports registered an all-time high of 4.81 MMT, driven by the severe El Niño that affected local farmlands.

“The market—the importers and traders—will respond when they see that production is low, they will import more,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a previous interview.

“Given the current pressures, it’s possible [for rice imports this year to reach 4.8 MMT] or more,” he added.

Published Date: May 12, 2026