Phl to export 100-MT premium rice this year

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is exporting around 100 metric tons of premium rice this year to Hong Kong, Macau, Dubai and the United States, according to an Agriculture official.

In an interview on the sidelines of the 1st Hybrid Rice Congress in Nueva Ecija, DA assistant secretary and National Rice Program coordinator Dante Delima said 50 metric tons of long grain aromatic white rice (Basmati-like), black rice and Jasponica brown and white rice would be shipped out in April.

Bound for Hong Kong and Macau are 15 MT of black rice from Tiaong, Quezon province,  20 MT each of brown and white Jasponica rice produced by SL Agritech Corp.  

Bound for Dubai are 15 MT of long grain aromatic white rice from Region 12.

Black rice currently fetches a domestic retail price of P55 per kilogram (kg) while long grain aromatic rice retails at P45 per kg.

Delima said the shipment due in April is a trial export volume but is expected to become a regular shipment because of the good quality of rice exports.

“Our strongest competition in Hong Kong is Thailand but we produce good quality rice. Our black rice, for instance, has better quality,” he said.

The official said that by the third quarter of the year, another 50 MT of heirloom and Dinorado rice have been contracted for shipment to the United States.

Bound for US in the third quarter are 20 MT of heirloom rice from Cordillera and 30 MT of Dinorado rice from Regions 11 and 12.

Delima said that if the shipments this year are successful, the export volume would be doubled to 200 MT in 2014.

The DA aims to attain an exportation level of around 300,000 MT by 2016 to match the 350,000 MT of foreign rice entering the country via the minimum access volume (MAV).

To strengthen the country’s exportation capability, the government is establishing this year Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for rice production.

The Philippines currently implements the GAP certification process for high value crops – mostly vegetables – but not for rice.

Delima said that under the GAP, the DA would harmonize international safety and quality standards for rice production with the production chain in the country.

“These standards are demanded by receiving countries,” said Delima.

Delima said the GAP certification would help farmers gain access to export market and give their produce a price advantage.

The GAP certification program would be implemented by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAPS) and funded by the National Rice Program.

Collaborating in the program are the National food Authority (NFA), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).