Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines imported a record 2.75 million tonnes of rice in the first six months of 2026, the highest first-half volume since the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) under the Department of Agriculture began tracking the data in 2019.
According to the BPI, rice imports from January to June rose 20.1%, or about 460,000 tonnes, from 2.29 million tonnes in the same period last year. The first-half total already accounts for around 57% of the government's full-year import target of 4.8 million tonnes.
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and the department's spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the higher imports are intended to ensure adequate domestic supply and stabilise rice prices amid rising fuel and fertilizer costs, as well as preparations for the potential impacts of El Niño.
Despite the 20% increase in imports, domestic rice production remains under pressure, requiring additional supplies to meet consumer demand, he said, adding that the government's priority is to maintain sufficient rice stocks at reasonable prices to help keep the market stable through the end of the year.
De Mesa noted that relatively low global rice prices provide the Philippines with an opportunity to increase imports at competitive costs. However, any decision on imposing restrictions or a temporary suspension of rice imports will rest with the Secretary of Agriculture.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Philippines is expected to remain the world's largest rice importer in 2026, with imports forecast to reach 5.7 million tonnes as domestic production declines and the risk of El Niño-induced drought persists./.
