IBON REPORTS PHILIPPINES FACES HIGHER RICE IMPORT DEPENDENCE

The Philippines’ rice import dependency has increased significantly since the implementation of the Rice Liberalization Law (RA 11203), according to IBON Foundation.

The country’s rice import dependency rate rose from 13.8% in 2018 to 23% in 2022, while rice self-sufficiency dropped from 86.2% to 77%.

In 2023, the Philippines imported 3.6 million metric tons (MT) of rice, marking an 80% increase from 2018’s 2 million MT.

The rice trade deficit also saw a dramatic rise, soaring 193.04% from $819 million in 2018 to $2.4 billion in 2024.

Despite stable local production, palay output’s value increased from P385 billion in 2018 to P437 billion in 2024, with retail rice prices also rising.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 15, 2025