A rice business group on Saturday mentioned it was not assured that the August-September importation of 300,000 metric tons of rice would assist decrease market costs.
According to a Bernadette Reyes report on “24 Oras Weekend,” the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRiSM) mentioned that about 300,000 MT of rice is scheduled to reach this month and in September.
“We assured the President that at least 300,000 metric tons is coming in this August and mayroon din sa September. I am not sure [kung gaano karami ang darating sa September] But they said, mga 300,000 ang darating. August-September na ‘yun,” said Rowena Sadicon, PRiSM Founder and Lead Convenor.
However, PRISM was not sure if this would lower rice prices.
“Yun ang chanllenge talaga, ang presyo. Dahil nag shoot a presyo sa world market. Ang India kasi, nag export ban sila. Forty % ng provide ng buong mundo, nanggagaling sa India,” Sadicon explained.
On Friday, Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said the agency opened talks with Vietnam and India “upon the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”
As a result of continuing talks, Panganiban said, “some Vietnamese exporters have quoted our non-public merchants $30-$40 decrease since our [last] assembly in Malacañang.”
However, the Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives said we must not rely on talks since other countries are also negotiating with India and Vietnam.
“That is diplomatic chitchat. Of course, they are going to provide as a result of they should seel their surplus. Pero, at what worth? Kung nago-offer ibang bansa ng as an example $700 per tonne, do you suppose they are going to promote it to us at $500?” mentioned FFFC National Manager Raul Montemayor.
Also, Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo puzzled why the federal government was nonetheless specializing in rice importation as an alternative of strengthening native manufacturing.
Early this month, DA Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla mentioned the company was eyeing to import one other 1.3 million metric tons of rice.
Marcos earlier assured the Filipino those who the DA had sufficient provide of rice regardless of the agricultural injury left by Typhoon Egay in Northern Luzon and the El Niño phenomenon. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
