Philippine rice imports cut by nearly half in Q1

Philippine rice imports were cut by nearly half in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Total rice imports reached 641,000 metric tons as of March 13, compared to 1.2 million metric tons in the same period last year.

Only 933 out of the 1,428 approved sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) have been utilized for this period, reflecting a market adjustment based on recent importation trends and local harvest forecasts.

DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa noted in an interview that the reduction shows the market is adjusting due to better expectations of this year's harvest and previous high imports.

Despite being the world's top importer of rice in 2023 and 2024, the Philippines is seeing a reduction in imports, with international economists crediting aggressive market reforms for stabilizing global rice prices.