Philippines secures rice from Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has secured enough rice supply as Vietnam, its biggest source of imports, has resumed its export policy amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter to the Philippine government, Vietnam Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh assured the country of the delivery of 400,000 metric tons of rice.

Two weeks ago, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the resumption of rice exports to the Philippines and other ASEAN countries starting May 1.

“I hope the new decision by our Prime Minister will contribute to the joint efforts by ASEAN member states in maintaining adequate food supply to ASEAN Community to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen ASEAN’s internal unity,” Tran said.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar welcomed the decision of the ASEAN neighbor to resume its rice export policy and take into account the difficulties faced by various stakeholders during the crisis.

“We need to keep the regional market open for trade and ensure the sustainability of the supply chain among ASEAN member-states, especially for food and other essential goods,” Dar said.

For January to May, the Philippines has contracted 666,480 MT of rice from Vietnam, of which 218,300 MT has been delivered, leaving a balance of 448,180 MT.

“This means that Vietnamese rice exporters will commence fulfilment of their contracts with Philippine importers, and consider future supply deals under an existing bilateral trade agreement,” Dar said.

Since January, the Bureau of Plant Industry has issued sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances covering 2.7 million MT, of which about 729,000 MT has arrived.

The remaining 1.18 million MT will be delivered in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Dar said the Philippine International Trading Corp. has officially opened the government-to-government rice importation for the supply of 300,000 MT of rice, which will serve as buffer stock during the lean months.

The PITC has already sent communications to Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Cambodia for the importation.

Last month, Trade chief Ramon Lopez said the Philippines is spending P8 billion to purchase the additional volume in a bid to further boost the inventory of the country’s main staple.

Even with the Rice Tariffication Law already in place, President Duterte could still direct the PITC and DTI to import.