SUPPLY OF RICE STABLE UNTIL Q1 OF 2024 – DA

PHILIPPINES will have a stable supply of rice until the next harvest season in March or April 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Saturday said.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa, in a media forum, said the country has a stable local production of rice, which is expected to hit a total 20 million metric tons (MT) before the year ends.

Earlier, the Philippines  imported 295,000 MT of non-basmati white rice from India. An initial 95,000 MT is set to arrive within December, while the remaining import is expected to be delivered by January.

De Mesa said that apart the from that, the country has 3.03 million MT of imported rice, as of the end of November.
 

“Matatag naman iyong ating local production. So, at the end, we’re expecting na ang national stock inventory natin by the end of December…is enough na maitawid natin hanggang sa susunod na harvest season come March or April,” he said.

 
“In terms of production at iyong paparating na bigas, palagi naming sasabihin, we have a stable supply ng bigas,” he added.
 

Based on the Deparment’s latest monitoring, the prevailing retail price of well-milled rice is at P51 to PP52 per kilo.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged the private sector to help formulate policies and programs to fast-track the modernization of Philippine agriculture in increasing food production and ensure food security.
 

“The collaboration of government and the private sector is crucial. We highlight the efforts and dedication of our partners in building sustainable set of option for the future of agriculture and fisheries,” Laurel said.