Inquirer
Flexible rice tariff policy seen to temper food prices
The Economy and Development (ED) Council has approved a flexible rice tariff scheme effective January 1, 2026, allowing adjustments of 5 percentage points for every 5% change in international prices, capped between 15% and 35%.
This new scheme aims for a more gradual adjustment in tariffs based on global price fluctuations.
The ED Council also decided to maintain the current 15% Most Favored Nation tariff rate on rice imports until December 31, 2025, for both in-quota and out-quota shipments.
This decision comes despite farmer groups' calls for a restored 35% tariff, arguing that lower rates encourage cheap imports that harm local farmgate prices.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s Executive Order (EO) No. 102 extending the rice import freeze until December 31 was deemed by DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan to make existing tariffs redundant and not impact local prices.
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