Milled rice and broken rice market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The Philippine milled rice market was reshaped by the Rice Tariffication Law implemented in 2018, which altered import rules and competition. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 disrupted logistics and contributed to record import volumes that year, while supply chain constraints and rising global fertilizer costs in 2020 pressured production inputs even as domestic output increased.

Government support programs from 2021, including the distribution of hybrid seeds and farm machinery, helped maintain production levels despite high input costs. However, in 2022, elevated fertilizer prices and climate-related challenges constrained output, leading to a slight decrease in total market volume.

To control inflation and stabilize supply, authorities reduced the tariff on rice imports from 35% to 15% in 2023 under Executive Order No. 62. This policy change stimulated higher import arrivals, supporting a recovery in the overall market size that year.

Production milled rice and broken rice in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines was one of the world's top producers of milled and broken rice, ranking 8th globally by production volume.

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Philippines produced 11,956 K t of milled and broken rice, representing a controlled year-over-year increase of 9.4%. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 10,926 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 12,167 K t. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, when production fell by 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports milled rice and broken rice from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Philippines exported 0.1 K t of milled and broken rice, a sharp decrease of 65.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 65.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 29.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 67.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (35.2% of exports in kind), the United States (16.7%), and Qatar (12.2%) were the primary markets for the Philippines' milled and broken rice exports, collectively accounting for 64.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values reached their maximum in 2019 and dropped to a minimum in 2020, representing a 5-fold shift. In 2020, milled and broken rice exports from the Philippines amounted to 0.1 M $ US, a decrease of 79.9% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 81.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Saudi Arabia—collectively accounted for 62.6% of the total export value of milled and broken rice from the Philippines.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Philippines in value, 2017-2020

Imports milled rice and broken rice to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.6 times. In 2020, the Philippines imported 874 K t of milled and broken rice, a steep drop of 71.7% from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,095 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 102.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and Thailand were the key sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 87.6% of total flows, while other partners were individually much less significant.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.4 times. In 2020, the Philippines' import volume of milled and broken rice registered 842 M $ US, marking a notable reduction of 23.8% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1,105 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 117.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—Vietnam and Thailand—together accounted for 89.3% of total imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Philippines in value, 2017-2020