Philippines to Maintain Rice Imports Amid El Niño Fears

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will not suspend rice imports to ensure an adequate supply of the staple grain amid the anticipated peak of El Niño later this year, an official said. "Our policy adjusts according to conditions that affect inflation, supply, volume, and the overall condition of our country," said Arnel V. de Mesa, DA spokesman and assistant secretary for special concerns and official development assistance. Mr. de Mesa explained that sufficient volumes of rice need to be on hand to keep prices from rising in the first half of next year, when the rice crop will reflect the down-the-line impact of the dry spells caused by El Niño. He noted that any decision to halt rice imports would only follow a strong harvest of palay (unmilled rice) and if the El Niño threat wanes. Rice imports were previously paused between September and December last year due to a strong harvest and the absence of El Niño risk factors. However, this year's outlook necessitates a different approach. The areas most likely to be affected by El Niño include the Cagayan Valley, the Ilocos Region, Western Visayas, and Mindoro. Mr. de Mesa recalled that Iloilo was the most severely affected area when El Niño hit in 2024. He also reported that rice imports amounted to 3.9 million metric tons (MMT) as of September, an increase from 3.27 MMT a year earlier.