By: Jordeene B. Lagare 

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine rice imports are projected to hit a record-high 5.5 million metric tons (MT) in 2026. This will maintain the country’s ranking as the world’s biggest importer of this household staple.

This is based on the estimate of the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA). If realized, the estimated volume would exceed the highest rice import volume of 4.8 million MT recorded in 2024.

This year, the USDA is expecting rice imports to increase by 12.5 percent to 5.4 million MT. The projected growth next year is more modest at 1.85 percent.

Nonetheless, the foreign agency attributed this to the “growth in population, increased tourism and continued importance as a staple.”

The USDA tally showed that the Philippines had topped the list of rice importers worldwide. Vietnam, the country’s leading source of imported rice, came in second with 4.1 million MT imports. Nigeria follows with 3 million MT.

On the other hand, the USDA expects local milled production to reach 12.3 million MT in 2026. That means an increase of 2.5 percent from this year.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said last week that it was “very optimistic” about hitting the palay (unmilled rice) output target of 20.46 million MT this year because of the various interventions.

Domestic rice output to recover

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Joycel Panlilio said in a briefing last week that local production would recover in the second quarter. Panlilio noted that some rice-producing regions like Cagayan Valley had recorded lower yield per hectare previously due to typhoons.

Panlilio also said the double dry cropping season program of the National Irrigation Administration would help attain this year’s production target. The program enables farmers to cultivate rice during two consecutive seasons.

The Philippines’ overseas rice purchases already breached the 1 million MT mark. The Bureau of Plant Industry reported a 1.32-million MT volume as of May 2.

Vietnam accounted for 84.8 percent or 1.12 million of the Philippines total rice imports. Thailand came next with 86,271.13 MT and Pakistan with 71,125.68 MT.

On the other hand, the country’s palay production attained a record of 20.06 million MT in 2023. Domestic output declined to 19.09 million MT the following year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed.

In the first quarter of 2025, palay output totaled 4.69 million MT. This was nearly unchanged from 4.68 million MT in the same period a year ago, according to the statistics agency.

Published Date: May 14, 2025