The Philippines is projected to remain the world’s top rice importer for the fourth consecutive year in 2026, with imports reaching 5.5 million metric tons (MT), according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The increase in imports, up from 5.4 million MT in 2025, is driven by higher demand due to population growth, increased tourism, and the importance of rice as a staple crop.
Despite a slight increase in domestic rice production, with milled output expected to grow to 12.3 million MT in 2026, it will still fall short of the country’s rice needs.
The Philippines’ rice consumption is projected to rise to 17.7 million MT in 2026, up from 17.3 million MT this year.
The country’s rice imports from January to April dropped by 20%, but full-year imports are expected to settle between 3.6 and 4 million MT.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 15, 2025
WORLD’S LARGEST RICE IMPORTER: PHILIPPINES TO MAINTAIN STATUS
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