Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to reduce the tariffs on imported rice to ensure food security, and protect consumers in the world’s largest importer of the grain.
The Philippines is the world largest rice importer. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to reducethe tariffs on imported rice to ensure food security, and protect consumers inthe world’s largest importer of the grain.
The Southeast Asian nation, which is battling elevated inflation, took intoconsideration the increase in global rice prices and uncertainties in localrice supply, the Presidential Office said in a statement.
In an executive order, Durterte cut the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rateson rice to 35 percent from 40 percent for in-quota purchase, and 50 percentout-quota volume for one year to diversify the country’s market sources,augment rice supply, maintain prices affordable, and reduce pressures oninflation.
In January, the agriculture department projected to import at least 1.7 milliontonnes of its staple food this year to fully cover domestic needs.
According to the government’s statistics, the country’s paddy rice output rose2.6 percent to a record 19.3 million tonnes in 2020. The agriculture departmenttargets unmilled rice output at 20.5 million tonnes this year.
However, more than 20 tropical storms hit the nation annually, with thestrongest typhoons destroying crops like rice and corn in the second half, thepeak harvest season.
Duterte also tweaked MFN tariff rates for pork products to 10 percent forin-quota purchases and 20 percent for out-quota volumes for the first threemonths, and 15 percent for in-quota, and 25 percent for out-quota from the 4th to the 12th month.
The Philippine government is rushing to address the shortage of pork supply,which was hit hard by the African Swine Fever outbreaks./.
The Philippines was the top importer of Vietnamese rice in 2020, purchasing 2.22 million tonnes worth 1.06 billion USD, a year-on-year surge of 4 percent in volume and 19.3 percent in value, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
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The Philippines is the world largest rice importer. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
