Manila, Dec. 16 -- The Philippines is projected to have lower rice imports in 2026, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday.

In an interview, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed that the import volume for next year will likely range from 3.6 million metric tons (MT) to 3.8 MT.

This is much lower than the 4.8 million MT logged in 2024, and closer to the current year's 3.5 million MT total estimated rice imports due to the four-month rice import ban since September, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

The DA chief made the remarks after he conducted a consultative meeting with the rice importers on Monday to help balance the welfare of Filipino palay (unhusked rice) farmers and consumers.

"The...