DA not keen on rice tariff hike in upcoming EO 62 review

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will not be recommending a higher tariff rate for imported rice in the upcoming periodic review of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Executive Order (EO) 62, which slashed the tariff rate for the grain to 15% from 35%.

The EO 62 mandates a periodic review of the tariff rates every four months upon the order's effectivity in early July.

"Sa November kasi ang review… the Department did not see the need na baguhin pa ang existing tariff in the existing EO," DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said at a news forum in Quezon City.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday said his department would recommend raising the tariff rate for rice imports should retail rice prices go down significantly, at a price range between P42 per kilo and P45 per kilo, in time with EO's periodic review in November.

De Mesa said the EO 62 is still in the early stages of implementation and the impact of lowering the tariff on rice imports on retail prices would take a while to be felt by the consumers.

The DA official said that about 2.2 million metric tons of imported rice came into the country in the first six months of 2024 and that these were purchased "at a higher tariff regime of 35%."

"Kailangan ma-dispose mo 'yan (These need to be disposed)," De Mesa said.

Meanwhile, since the order took effect, there were about 440,000 MT of imported rice, which arrived in the country under a lower tariff regime.

De Mesa said that in July alone, about 150,000 MT of rice were imported while 260,000 MT came in August.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) had earlier said that it may take a little longer before Filipinos can feel the impact of the executive order lowering the tariff on rice imports.

In August, rice inflation eased to 14.7% from 20.9% in July due to the combined base effects and impact of reduced tariff rates.

Based on the DA's price monitoring in Metro Manila, as of Sept. 13, the prices of different imported commercial varieties rice are as follows:

• Special — P55-P68 per kilo
• Premium — P54-P60 per kilo
• Well-milled — P45-P55 per kilo
• Regular milled — P42-P50 per kilo

Prices of local commercial rice varieties in Metro Manila markets, on the other hand, are as follows:

• Special — P59-P63 per kilo
• Premium — P50-P58 per kilo
• Well-milled — P47-P55 per kilo
• Regular milled — P45-P51 per kilo

A petition seeking for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against EO 62 has been filed before the Supreme Court by Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), the United Broiler Raisers Association, the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative, and former Magsasaka Party-list representative Argel Cabatbat. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
 

rice tariff, rice tariffication law, agriculture, department of agriculture