From Philippines Rice Imports despite Tariff to Cambodia Rice exports. Here Are Top Rice News of The Day

By Megha Bajaj

Philippines Continues Rice Imports, Tariff Still At 15%

After lifting a four-month ban imposed last September, the Philippines continues rice imports on January 1, with the tariff remaining at 15% pending approval of a higher rate. The Government will enable 500,000 metric tons of rice to enter through 17 designated ports, along with shipments required to arrive by the end of February, as part of efforts to manage supply while safeguarding local farmers’ prices.

Rice Prices Remain High, Contributing To Food Inflation

A Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) study discovered that domestic rice prices in Bangladesh remained high due to elevated production, financing, and logistics costs, limiting benefits for consumers, despite around 40% drop in global rice prices. It resulted in a reduction of food inflation in mid-2025, but recovered from October, driven mainly by rice prices, supply distruptions from monsoon damage, and structural weaknesses in the food supply chain, including high transport costs and the dominant role of intermediaries.

IRRI Hosts Thailand-Vietnam Exchange On Rice Straw Strategies For Circular Economy

IRRI’s Thailand Office hosted a two-day study visit and policy dialogue in Can Tho city, Vietnam, bring together Thai and Vietnamese experts to promote rice straw-based value chains and circular economy practices. The exchange focused on reducing open burning and PM2.5 pollution by transforming rice straw into value-added products such as compost, organic fertilizer, mushrooms, packaging and other bio-based goods, intending to enhance farmer incomes while supporting sustainable, low-carbon rice production through regional collaboration.

Indonesia Plans to Maintain 4 Million Tons of Rice Reserves Through 2029

Indonesia targets 4 million tons of rice reserves through 2029, supported by an earlier and higher-yielding 2026 harvest expected to start in February. The government will increase Bulog’s storage capacity by building around 100 new warehouses and mobilising Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMPs) to boost local rice storage and distribution, supporting farmer incomes and inflation control.

Cambodia’s Rice Exports To surpass one MMT in 2026

Cambodia is confident of exporting one million metric tonnes of rice this year, building in 940,000 tonnes exported last year, which is mainly fragrant jasmine rice destined for the EU and China. Cambodia expects firm demand from key markets to sustain rice exports, even as significant importers like Indonesia and Philippines decrease rice purchases.