PHILIPPINE production of palay (unmilled rice) rose 3.01% to 19.68 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, recovering from the previous year’s decline but below an originalPHILIPPINE production of palay (unmilled rice) rose 3.01% to 19.68 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, recovering from the previous year’s decline but below an original

Rice output ‘disappointing’ even after surpassing DA’s downgraded 2025 target

PHILIPPINE production of palay (unmilled rice) rose 3.01% to 19.68 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, recovering from the previous year’s decline but below an original official projection of over 20 MMT, analysts said.

Danilo V. Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc., told BusinessWorld that despite more favorable weather, last year’s rice output was still “below expectations.”

“Rice output of 19.68 MMT is a disappointment since the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) (earlier) projected output for 2025 of around 20.3 MMT to 20.4 MMT,” he said via Viber.

The DA has since downgraded its 2025 goal to 19.61-19.89 MMT.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that palay output last year exceeded the 2024 total of 19.09 MMT, which had declined 4.85% from 2023.

The PSA also recorded a 2.22% increase in the harvest area to 4.75 million hectares in 2025.

Mr. Fausto said that while the harvested area expanded and support to the rice industry increased, output did not meet the early projection, warranting a review of the DA’s programs and performance.

Raul Q. Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers, said last year’s rice output was still below production levels seen in recent years.

“The 2025 result is actually lower than in 2021 to 2023 in terms of production, harvest area, and yield. So we are not really progressing, and in the meantime, population and rice requirements are increasing,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.

The PSA reported palay output of 19.96 MMT in 2021, 19.76 MMT in 2022, and 20.06 MMT in 2023.

Mr. Montemayor also questioned the inability of production to keep up with demand despite the billions of pesos poured into the rice industry.

“Why is output not catching up with demand, why is the harvested area going down despite investments in irrigation, and why are yields not improving significantly despite seed, fertilizer, mechanization, and other subsidies?” he said.

Jayson H. Cainglet, executive director of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, said the increase in production and harvested areas last year was a direct result of good farmgate prices in 2024.

“2024 was a good year for rice farmers, farmgate prices ranged from P18 to P27 per kilo, thus encouraging more farmers to plant palay,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.

However, Mr. Cainglet said that output this year will be weighed down by the sharp decline in farmgate prices over the past two cropping seasons, which may discourage farmers from increasing production.

“The same goes for other crops and the livestock sector. Positive farmgate prices will encourage more small planters to plant, and more backyard growers to raise hogs and poultry,” he added.

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano told BusinessWorld that with palay output of close to 20 MMT, the Philippines would still need to import around 4 MMT of rice this year.

“The 20 MMT of palay will convert to around 13 MMT of rice. Our rice consumption is above 16 MMT annually. In other words, we need to import around 4 million MT (including shipments to strengthen our rice inventory) this year to ensure price stability,” he said in a Viber message.

The DA said that with the palay production target set at 20.3 MMT this year, rice imports are projected between 3.6 MMT and 3.8 MMT, levels it considers sufficient to meet demand without depressing farmgate prices. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Market Opportunity
RICE AI Logo
RICE AI Price(RICE)
$0.003504
$0.003504$0.003504
-2.42%
USD
RICE AI (RICE) Live Price Chart
Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Fed Decides On Interest Rates Today—Here’s What To Watch For

Fed Decides On Interest Rates Today—Here’s What To Watch For

The post Fed Decides On Interest Rates Today—Here’s What To Watch For appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Topline The Federal Reserve on Wednesday will conclude a two-day policymaking meeting and release a decision on whether to lower interest rates—following months of pressure and criticism from President Donald Trump—and potentially signal whether additional cuts are on the way. President Donald Trump has urged the central bank to “CUT INTEREST RATES, NOW, AND BIGGER” than they might plan to. Getty Images Key Facts The central bank is poised to cut interest rates by at least a quarter-point, down from the 4.25% to 4.5% range where they have been held since December to between 4% and 4.25%, as Wall Street has placed 100% odds of a rate cut, according to CME’s FedWatch, with higher odds (94%) on a quarter-point cut than a half-point (6%) reduction. Fed governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, both Trump appointees, voted in July for a quarter-point reduction to rates, and they may dissent again in favor of a large cut alongside Stephen Miran, Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers’ chair, who was sworn in at the meeting’s start on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether other policymakers, including Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid and St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem, will favor larger cuts or opt for no reduction. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in his Jackson Hole, Wyoming, address last month the central bank would likely consider a looser monetary policy, noting the “shifting balance of risks” on the U.S. economy “may warrant adjusting our policy stance.” David Mericle, an economist for Goldman Sachs, wrote in a note the “key question” for the Fed’s meeting is whether policymakers signal “this is likely the first in a series of consecutive cuts” as the central bank is anticipated to “acknowledge the softening in the labor market,” though they may not “nod to an October cut.” Mericle said he…
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2025/09/18 00:23
FCA komt in 2026 met aangepaste cryptoregels voor Britse markt

FCA komt in 2026 met aangepaste cryptoregels voor Britse markt

De Britse financiële waakhond, de FCA, komt in 2026 met nieuwe regels speciaal voor crypto bedrijven. Wat direct opvalt: de toezichthouder laat enkele klassieke financiële verplichtingen los om beter aan te sluiten op de snelle en grillige wereld van digitale activa. Tegelijkertijd wordt er extra nadruk gelegd op digitale beveiliging,... Het bericht FCA komt in 2026 met aangepaste cryptoregels voor Britse markt verscheen het eerst op Blockchain Stories.
Share
Coinstats2025/09/18 00:33
Pi Network Mainnet Update: 16 Million Verified Users Join Global Blockchain Ecosystem

Pi Network Mainnet Update: 16 Million Verified Users Join Global Blockchain Ecosystem

Pi Network Surpasses 16 Million Verified Mainnet Users Pi Network, one of the fastest-growing blockchain ecosystems, has reached a major milestone: over 16 mil
Share
Hokanews2026/01/31 23:28