Philippines' new move on imported rice

The Philippine government announced tariffs on imported rice from January 2026 after extending the ban on rice imports until the end of 2025.

Unloading imported rice at Tabaco port in the Philippines - Photo: INQUIRER

According to the Philippine Inquirer , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 105, adjusting rice import tax with flexibility from 15% - 35%, depending on world market prices.

Signed on November 7 but only announced by the Presidential Office on November 9, Executive Order 105 also established the Inter-Agency Rice Tariff Adjustment Group, responsible for developing guidelines on increasing or decreasing tariffs on imported rice.

Together with President Marcos Jr.’s previous Executive Order 102, which extended the suspension of regular and well-milled rice imports until the end of 2025, the new policies are said to ensure stable palay prices that benefit farmers and retail rice prices for Filipino consumers.

According to the latest decree, the current rice import tax rate of 15% will be maintained until December 31, 2025.

However, starting from January 1, 2026, tariffs on imported rice will be increased by 5 percentage points for every 5% decrease in international rice prices, or reduced by 5 percentage points for every 5% increase in international rice prices.

The tax rate applied to imported rice, both within quota and outside quota, must in no case be reduced below 15% or above 35%.

In June 2024, President Marcos signed a decree cutting import tariffs on rice from 35% to 15% by 2028 to help curb retail prices and slow food inflation. According to the decree, tariffs on imported rice will be reviewed every four months.

The latest order, however, is not exactly what Philippine farmers groups want. They are asking President Marcos to gradually increase tariffs on imported rice from the current 15% to 35%.

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. had earlier said that the tariff from January 2026 would definitely not remain at 15%.

However, the agency did not recommend immediately raising the rice tariff to 35 percent as some farming groups have demanded to prevent price pressure on retail prices.

The Philippines remains the world’s largest rice importer, with imports expected to hit a record high of 5.5 million tonnes in 2026. Before the Philippines’ rice import ban, Vietnam topped the list of suppliers to the country.

DUY LINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dong-thai-moi-cua-philippines-voi-gao-nhap-khau-20251109151003905.htm