Biz Chamber Confident of Rice Stock Amid Import Ban
Negros Oriental Confident in Rice Supply Despite Import Ban
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Dumaguete City – Despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 60-day ban on rice imports, the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) is confident that the province has enough rice to meet local demand.
NOCCI President Assures adequate Buffer Stock
NOCCI President Edward Du, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on thursday, stated that the import ban, set to begin on September 1st, is unlikely to negatively impact local businesses.
“We understand that this is to give way to local rice farmers to sell their produce during the harvest season,” Du explained. “But based on experience, under normal circumstances, rice importers and the local rice traders here have more than enough supply that can go beyond 60 days.”
Du expressed his support for the ban, emphasizing that it will allow farmers to sell their rice to local traders, creating a mutually beneficial situation.He also dismissed concerns about potential hoarding, noting that rice prices, even for premium varieties, have decreased in recent months. A 50-kg sack of imported premium rice, previously priced at PHP2,500, has now dropped to PHP2,000.
Concerns Over Rice Mill Operations
While optimistic about the overall rice supply, Du raised concerns about the potential closure of rice mills in the province due to high overhead costs.
Impact on Local Farmers
Although specific numbers are unavailable, NOCCI has received reports indicating that only a limited number of rice mills are currently operational. This situation could pose a challenge for local farmers who rely on these mills to process their harvest.
NFA’s Role and Farmer Preferences
The National Food Authority (NFA) does purchase palay (unhusked rice) from farmers. Though, many farmers choose not to sell to the NFA, preferring to either reserve their rice for personal consumption or sell it directly in the market. This further underscores the importance of functional and accessible rice mills for the local agricultural economy.