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Philippines sees rice surplus by yearend

Any decision on a new round of rice importation may not be made until early next year, based on the procurement timetable, said Filipino Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala on October 9.
Any decision on a new round of rice importation may not be made untilearly next year, based on the procurement timetable, said FilipinoAgriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala on October 9.

At the sametime, the Secretary predicted a surplus of 2.24 million tonnes of riceby yearend, which can meet the entire country’s needs for over twomonths, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

According tothe agriculture senior official, as the country’s main harvest occurs inthe second half of the year, accounting for 60 percent of the year’soutput, decisions on whether to import and how much are usuallyfinalised at the start of the succeeding year.-VNA
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