PH to import more rice in ’16

The Philippines may import almost one million metric tons of rice next year to keep prices stable as estimates point to lower domestic production of the staple crop, mainly due to dry field conditions.

National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Renan Dalisay told reporters that the government might consider buying an additional 400,000 tons of rice imports on top of the 500,000 tons already programmed for the first quarter of 2016.

“We need to ensure that we have enough rice inventories at government depositories as El Nino peaks in the first quarter of next year,” he said.

The Philippines is seen to produce slightly less rice this year compared to 2014 due to dry field conditions, but there may be an improvement next year.

Assistant Secretary for Field Operations Edilberto De Luna of the Department of Agriculture told reporters that the Philippines would likely produce 18.3 million to 18.5 million metric tons (MT) of palay (rough rice), or about 3.54-percent below the 2014 output of 18.97 million tons. The 2015 target was higher but primarily due to El Niño and other adverse weather events, several rice-planting areas have reported lower production. Among the conditions affecting production was delayed or little rainfall and inadequate irrigation.

De Luna said that when compared to the last time El Niño hit in 2010, when rice output was at 15.7 million tons, the Philippines has shown improved production.

The outlook seems better for 2016 with the first quarter (January-March 2016) seen to yield 4.38 million tons or 0.31-percent more than the 4.37 million tons in the first quarter of 2015.