MANILA --The Department of Agriculture is eyeing to gradually increase tariffs on imported rice as prices in the international market fall.

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The tariff on imported rice was slashed from 35 percent to 15 percent through Executive Order 62, which took effect in July 2024. This is part of the government's efforts to bring down rice prices last year.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. however earlier said it would be dangerous for the market to revert back to 35 percent in just one snap. 

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said actual figures and the timeline for the tariff increases have yet to be determined. He said several circumstances show that reverting to higher tariffs is timely, since lower tariffs mean lower funds for their programs such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

"Una, nagkaroon talaga ng pagbaba sa presyo. And of course, makaka-apekto rin kasi yan dun sa programa natin, halimbawa sa RCEF. Last year, maganda yung ating collection. Ngayon, definitely, kasi half yun eh," De Mesa said.

(First, prices in the international market is down. And also, this will also affect our programs like the RCEF. Last year, we had good collection. This year, it might be halved.)

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The Philippines is also expected to reduce rice imports this year due to the high volume of imports last year, which reached 4.8 million metric tons. Local rice harvests are also expected to improve this year. Harvests declined last year as El Niño reduced rainfall and dried up farms.

"Actually, naglabas ng statement din ng USDA [US Department of Agriculture] na, yun nga, expectedly this year, bababa significantly yung level of imports for rice ng Pilipinas," he added.

(USDA released a statement where we are expecting reduced rice imports this year.)