Philippines plans rice imports to boost stocks for coronavirus fight

By Enrico Dela Cruz
MANILA, March 31 (Reuters) - The Philippine government is
looking to import 300,000 tonnes of rice to ensure sufficient
domestic supply of the staple while it seeks to contain the
spread of the coronavirus in the Southeast Asian country, a
senior official said on Tuesday.
The Philippines became the world's biggest rice importer in
2019 with purchases estimated at a record 2.9 million tonnes. It
usually buys from Vietnam along with some volumes from Thailand.
Vietnam, the world's third-largest rice exporter, has
temporarily suspended new rice export contracts while
undertaking a review of its stockpiles to ensure it has enough
domestic supplies to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.
Rice traders, however, said on Monday that Vietnam was
expected to lift the suspension this week, with the government
imposing a quota. The Philippines' Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging
Infectious Diseases has sought President Rodrigo Duterte's
approval for a government-to-government rice purchase
arrangement, said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
The Department of Agriculture and other government agencies
were now reaching out to Southeast Asian rice suppliers to
negotiate for a deal, said Nograles, who is also the task force
spokesman.
No further details were immediately available.
The Philippines' fresh rice demand comes at a time when
export prices are at multi-year peaks particularly in Thailand.
Global food security concerns are mounting as some
governments contemplate restricting the flow of staple foods
with around one-fifth of the world's population under lockdown
to fight the widening coronavirus pandemic. Cambodia will also ban some rice exports to ensure local
food security during the coronavirus crisis. Under government rules, the Philippine International Trading
Corp, which is attached to the Department of Trade and Industry,
is now in charge of importing rice to boost state stockpiles.
The Philippines last year scrapped caps on rice imports that
were place for more than 20 years, allowing the private sector
to buy unlimited volumes.
The government, which used to import rice through the
National Food Authority, can only bring in shipments during
emergencies.
Last week, Agriculture Secretary William Dar assured
Filipinos that the country has enough rice for the next four
months, taking into account current state stockpiles, the
incoming local dry-season harvest, and continued importation.