The Phillippines plans to import about 3.6 million tonnes of rice in 2026 wwith around 75-80 per cent expected to be sourced from Việt Nam. — Photo thoibaonganhang.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Philippines plans to import about 3.6 million tonnes of rice in 2026, with around 75–80 per cent expected to be sourced from Việt Nam, according to the Việt Nam Trade Office in the Philippines, underlining Hà Nội’s central role in Manila’s food security strategy.

At a recent working session with the Việt Nam Trade Office, Secretary of the Philippine Department of Agriculture Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines would not impose a ban on rice imports this year but would apply measures to manage import volumes, particularly during the domestic harvest season.

The two countries could move towards formalising a rice agreement covering volumes of up to 2.5 million tonnes, he said.

The Việt Nam Trade Office also proposed expanding market access for a wider range of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Agreeing with the proposal, Secretary Laurel said the Philippines currently has strong demand for fresh chilli, bell peppers, garlic, carrots and onions, creating opportunities for capable Vietnamese exporters to enter the market.

He also called on Việt Nam to further open its market to Philippine exports such as seafood, frozen chicken and chicken feet.

Việt Nam exported nearly 8.063 million tonnes of rice in 2025, with the Philippines remaining the largest buyer at 3.2 million tonnes worth US$1.57 billion, or about 40 per cent of the country’s total rice exports, customs statistics showed.

In December 2025 alone, Việt Nam shipped more than 198,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines, worth over $91 million, accounting for nearly 38 per cent of total export volume and 36.6 per cent of export value for the month.

This was a notable development given that the Philippines was still enforcing a temporary ban on rice imports in December. The volumes recorded by Vietnamese customs reflected shipments that exporters allowed to depart ports in late 2025 to ensure delivery to the Philippines in January 2026, when the market was expected to reopen to imports.

Rice export prices to the Philippines averaged $490 per tonne, lower than the overall average of $509. — VNS