RP eyes rice imports from Cambodia

The Philippines is exploring the possibility of sourcing its rice imports from Cambodia, which is looking around for market for its surplus production.

The possibility of the Philippines buying rice from Cambodia was raised during a recent visit by a large delegation of Filipino legislators by Speaker Jose de Venecia who attended the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary meeting.

National Food Authority Administrator Anthony R.A. Abad, who was with De Venecia’s group, said offhand Cambodia produces more than enough rice for its 12 million people and exports its surplus to neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam, which also export to the Philippines.

"It would be good and more economically beneficial if we could source our rice from Cambodia. However, Cambodia produces mostly the high-end Jasmine rice, which is being imported by the private sector," Abad said.

Since Jasmine rice is of premium quality and not imported by the NFA, any shipment from that country will have fall under the minimum access volume (MAV) of around 25,000 metric tons and all negotiations, sale and shipment will have to be handled by the private sector. In which case, Abad said, the private sectors of both countries will have to work things out by themselves.

Because of inadequate post harvest and handling facilities, Cambodia is forced to export its palay (unmilled rice) to Thailand and Vietnam and imports milled rice from these countries, Abad said.

Cambodia is also seeking the help of the Philippines in farming its vast tracts of land (around 10,000 hectares) to rice and putting up post harvest, irrigation systems and other infrastructures in that country so it can fully develop its rice sector, Abad said. These are areas where the Philippines could help its neighbor.

It will not be wise, however, for the Philippines to import the heavy and bulky unmilled rice (palay) from Cambodia. He said the cost of shipping, handling and other incidentals – milling and drying – will be very high, Abad said.