Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that tariffs on imported rice will rise from 15 percent to 20 percent starting January 1, 2026. This change aligns with the government's preparations for resuming rice importation next year, which has been temporarily halted to safeguard the income of local palay farmers during the wet harvest season.

According to Philippines News Agency, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the tariff increase accounts for the recent depreciation of the peso and the potential rise in global rice prices as the Philippines reengages in the market. Additionally, the DA plans to waive the usual 10-percent down payment requirement for obtaining Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPICs) to alleviate cash-flow constraints faced by rice importers.

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) will begin processing SPSIC applications to facilitate the import of 500,000 metric tons (MT) of rice, including a 50,000 MT allocation for government agencies. Secretary Tiu Laurel also encouraged local rice importers to diversify their suppliers, suggesting they consider sourcing from Cambodia, Myanmar, and other non-traditional suppliers, rather than relying predominantly on Vietnam.

All imported rice shipments are required to arrive by mid-February to maintain reasonable farmgate prices at the start of the dry harvest season, thereby protecting local palay producers. The limited rice imports during the January to February period will be distributed across 17 ports nationwide, including locations in Manila, Batangas, Tacloban, Bacolod, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Subic, Calbayog, General Santos, and Tabaco.