The domestic rice consumption of the Philippines has been rising steadily over the years — from below 15 million tons in 2019 to 17 million tons in 2024, reflecting the country’s increasing population and dietary reliance on rice as a staple food.
Domestic Rice Consumption Trends
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According to official statistics, the Philippines’ total domestic rice consumption for recent years is as follows:
| Year | Domestic Rice Consumption (million tons) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 14.4 |
| 2020 | 14.8 |
| 2021 | 15.4 |
| 2022 | 16.1 |
| 2023 | 16.6 |
| 2024 | 17.2 |
Based on this upward trend, the rice consumption in 2025 is projected to reach approximately 17.8 million tons.
Rice Reserve Demand
In addition to consumption, the Philippines maintains a minimum food security reserve equivalent to 30 days of national demand, estimated at 1.0–1.2 million tons.
This means the country’s total annual rice requirement — including consumption and reserve stock — is between 18 and 19 million tons.
Philippine Rice Imports and 2025 Forecast
Due to limited domestic rice production and steadily rising consumption, the Philippines’ rice import volume has increased significantly in recent years.
Before June 2024, the 35% import tariff on rice somewhat restricted import levels despite high domestic demand.
The country’s rice imports from 2019 to 2023 are as follows:
| Year | Rice Import Volume (million tons) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3.256 |
| 2020 | 2.662 |
| 2021 | 2.988 |
| 2022 | 3.788 |
| 2023 | 3.932 |
Policy Shift: Tariff Reduction Boosts Imports
On June 20, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 62, reducing import tariffs on multiple goods — including rice, whose rate was cut from 35% to 15%, effective through 2028.
This policy move was part of the Philippine government’s efforts to combat inflation and stabilize rice prices, which had been rising sharply in the domestic market.
As a result, rice imports surged to a record 4.68 million tons in 2024 and are expected to increase further to about 4.92 million tons in 2025.
Key Import Sources
Over the past several years, Vietnam has remained the dominant rice supplier to the Philippines, consistently accounting for 80–85% of the import market share.
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Thailand follows with around 10%,
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while the remainder comes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, and other countries.
Recently, the Philippine government has sought to diversify its rice supply sources, even signing a bilateral rice trade cooperation agreement with Cambodia.
However, experts note that the impact of this agreement remains limited compared with the country’s long-established import channels from Vietnam and Thailand.
2025 Outlook
With domestic production stagnating, consumption and reserve needs increasing, and tariffs remaining low, the Philippines is expected to continue as the world’s largest rice importer in 2025.
Vietnam’s dominant position in this market is projected to remain strong, supported by its stable supply, competitive pricing, and long-term trade relationships with Filipino importers.