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A struggling sector

The latest projection of the United States Department of Agriculture sees the Philippines importing more rice this year and the next, remaining the world’s top importer as the El Niño, La Niña, and recent typhoons have affected local production.

The latest Grain: World Markets and Trade report of the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service estimated that Philippine rice imports would reach 4.7 million metric tons this year, up by 2.2 percent from its previous estimate of 4.6 million MT, citing “strong buying of Vietnam rice.”

The country’s rice imports are expected to further increase to 4.9 million MT in 2025 because of a “smaller crop” delivered by local farms.

The latest USDA projection aligns with a higher forecast for global rice imports this year, attributed to increases in demand from Malaysia and Nepal, despite estimates of higher worldwide production.

“Global rice production is forecast up based on substantial increase for India, more than offsetting a reduction for the Philippines,” the report estimated for next year.

The USDA estimated that the country’s milled rice production would amount to 12.7 million MT this 2024 and decline to 12.3 million MT next year.

A previous report by the foreign agency slashed its rice production forecast for the Philippines due to crop damage from successive typhoons and a reduction in area harvested due to land conversion.

The Department of Agriculture expects flat local palay output this 2024 due to the substantial impact of El Niño and La Niña on farmers’ harvest.

Our continued dependence on rice importation, ironically the staple food of a nation that is supposedly focusing on bettering its agriculture sector and food security, is a symptom of the severity of the problems that continue to plague it. Aside from financing issues, lack of modernization, general productivity, and the threat of importation, Filipino farmers also have to deal with the always present threat of natural disasters that can easily wipe out crops.

It will be interesting to see how our government can prop up and boost the country’s agriculture sector, especially when it comes to rice, as it faces challenges from within, as well from Mother Nature.*

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February 2025
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