Philippines to buy 187,000 tons of rice from Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government announced today that it had decided to  import 187,000 tons of milled rice from Vietnam to beef up stocks before the onset of the typhoon season in July.

State-run National Food Authority (NFA) said Vietnam had given the "best offer" for the supply of 187,000 tons of 25 percent broken rice grade.

NFA administrator Orlan A. Calayag said Vietnam's Southern Food Corp. offered the best bid at $459.75 per ton.

Vietnam and Thailand submitted bids for the right to supply the volume during a government-to-government tender held on April 3.  

The Philippines may no longer need to import more rice as it expects another record harvest this year. For 2013, Philippine paddy rice output is projected to go up by 11 percent on year to 20 million tons.