Furthermore, the DA chief also announced that imported rice shipments will not be allowed to unload at ports in Iloilo from mid-September until the end-November to avoid overlapping with the province’s peak harvest season.
The dual measures will enhance farmers’ bargaining position by boosting the NFA’s influence on palay prices while easing competitive pressure from imported shipments.
The NFA announced last April that it purchased 8.4 million 50-kilo bags or 420,012 MT of palay last year, a 5.32 percent drop from the 8.87 million bags or 443,620 MT it bought in 2024.
The 2025 was only 77 percent of its target of purchasing 545,000 MT from local planters.
‘Procurement fell short of the total target attainment due to operational limitations, particularly full warehouse capacity and limited storage space arising from ongoing warehouse repair and rehabilitation activities,’ it said.