ED Council keeps 15% rice tariff until end-2025

The Economy and Development (ED) Council has approved the recommendation of the Tariff and Related Matters Committee (TRMC) to maintain the current 15 percent Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate on rice imports until the end of 2025.

The decision, which covers both in-quota and out-quota imports, was announced by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) after Tuesday’s Council meeting chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The President earlier signed Executive Order (EO) 102 on October 30, extending the suspension of rice importation — covering regular and well-milled varieties — until December 31, 2025.

With the Council’s approval, a more gradual and flexible tariff adjustment will be adopted starting January 1, 2026, with changes of five percentage points for every five percent movement in international rice prices, subject to a minimum rate of 15 percent and a maximum of 35 percent.

“The TRMC’s recommendation is part of a broader government strategy to ensure stable rice prices and protect both farmers and consumers, while safeguarding macroeconomic stability,” DEPDev said in a statement.

DEPDev Secretary and ED Council Vice Chairperson Arsenio Balisacan explained that the President’s decision — based on the Department of Agriculture’s recommendation — to extend the rice import ban until yearend effectively renders the current tariff structure redundant, since it no longer affects local market prices.