PH to import rice for buffer stock after Yolanda

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will import 500,000 metric tons (MT) of rice for buffer stock in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

The National Food Authority (NFA) approved the importation to be done under a government-to-government deal before the end of this year.

The imports, which will serve as buffer stock, will be sufficient to cover nearly 15 days based on the nationwide consumption of 34,000 MT per day.

NFA spokesman Rex Estoperez said the NFA approved the procurement during a meeting last Friday, November 15.

“We have the production but we need it for buffer stock especially now that we are conducting relief
operations,” he said.

The government may source rice from Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia which already have agreements with the Philippines, noted Estoperez. “Our priority is to have a government-to-government procurement, also because private sector importation entails a long process.”

Yolanda affected 137,225 MT of palay planted in 81,056 hectares of land in Regions VI, VII and VIII. Only half of the volume may still recover, the Department of Agriculture earlier said. Damage to rice lands stood at P2.23 billion.

The country currently has a rice stock inventory of 1.7 million MT, around 400,000 MT of which are held in NFA warehouses. The stock is sufficient for 51 days. – Rappler.com