THE Philippines will be importing a maximum of 500,000 tons of rice next year, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said,
down from this year’s import volume of 860,000 tons. “We will not be importing more than 500,000 tons,” he continued,
adding that the country may import even less in 2012 depending on the wet season harvest. Alcala says next year’s import volume is in keeping with the Aquino administration’s goal of achieving rice
self-sufficiency by 2013. As this developed, Alcala mentions that the country’s agricultural output in the second
quarter is looking "very good." Farm output grew 4.1 percent from January to March, the fastest first quarter growth in seven
years. (DA)