Hanoi, Oct. 10 -- The Philippine government has decided to extend its rice import ban until the end of 2025, two months longer than originally planned, in a bid to raise domestic paddy prices and protect local farmers from losses amid oversupply and falling prices.

According to a statement from the Department of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the decision before the House Committee on Agriculture and Food on October 8.

He said the government hopes the Congress will soon approve the proposal to increase rice import tariffs. Should that fail, a fallback plan which has been already endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will only allow imports in January 2026, followed by another suspension fro...