Paddy rice market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The Philippine paddy rice market volume experienced fluctuations from 2018 to 2020, influenced by policy shifts and external shocks. In 2018, the government's move to liberalize rice imports aimed to reduce consumer prices, which contributed to a 22% drop in farmgate prices by 2019. This price pressure, coupled with a slight decrease in production costs, coincided with a market volume decline to 18.8 million metric tons in 2019. The following year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced community quarantine disrupting supply chains, increased state subsidies supported domestic production, helping market volume recover to 19.4 million metric tons in 2020.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume continued to expand, reaching 20.1 million metric tons in 2023 despite ongoing challenges. In 2021, land conversion issues in key areas like Laguna affected farmland productivity, yet overall production and imports rose, pushing market volume above 20 million metric tons. After a minor dip in 2022, volume growth resumed in 2023, reflecting resilient demand and supply adjustments.

In 2024, the market faced significant pressures from climate events and policy interventions. El Niño and La Niña weather patterns led to a projected 5.5% drop in rice production in the first half, prompting the government to impose a two-month import suspension and revert tariff rates to 40-50% for non-ASEAN rice. These measures, along with soaring fertilizer prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, drove farmgate prices up by 32% and retail prices by over 25%, while rice imports increased by 24% to ensure supply.

Production paddy rice in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines ranked as the world's eighth-largest producer of paddy rice.

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, paddy rice production in the Philippines rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 19,295 thousand tons of paddy rice, marking a modest 2.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 18,815 thousand tons, which represented a 1.3% decrease.

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

Exports paddy rice from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a staggering 6,158-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Philippines exported 0.4 thousand tons of paddy rice, which was 2,167.6% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 69.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 87,471.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh and Myanmar were the primary markets for paddy rice exports from the Philippines, together accounting for 99.1% of total export volumes.

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, K $ US

Market behavior during this period was marked by volatility. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 962-fold increase between these years. In 2020, paddy rice exports from the Philippines totaled 169 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 43.0% year-over-year gain. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 256 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 53.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 96,063.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh and Myanmar dominated paddy rice exports in value terms, jointly representing 97.3% of total flows, with other destinations making smaller individual contributions.

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 paddy rice to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K t

The Philippines' volume of paddy rice imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1,000 thousand tons of paddy rice, reflecting a sharp 334.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 1,009.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 123.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, India and China were the key sources for paddy rice imports into the Philippines, together accounting for 89.9% of total import volumes, while other partners played much smaller roles individually.

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, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, paddy rice imports into the Philippines amounted to 79,125 thousand US dollars, representing an abrupt 101.6% rise compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 34,823 thousand US dollars, which saw a 0.9% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and China jointly accounted for 94.0% of the total value of paddy rice imports into the Philippines, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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