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The President of the Philippines, who is also the chief of the Department of Agriculture, stated that his administration is currently working with its partners in the government and the private sector to bring down rice prices. He described rice supply to be the country’s “most critical problem”.

Rice is consumed by nearly 60% of the of the global population. According to a report, the increasing demand for rice will spur the growth of the global hybrid rice seeds market, projected to grow up to 5.43 billion USD in the year 2027.

Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, San Pedro Warehouse, and FS Rice Mill Warehouse, all located in Bulacan, were shut down by the Bureau of Customs as they were found to be storing more than 200,000 sacks of imported rice from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.

China is currently the world’s leading rice producer. However, due to heavy rain and flood risks, the soaked grains will reduce crop yields for the year. A report has revealed that this can cause global rice prices to soar even higher.

The recent update in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization All Rice Price Index showed that rice prices soared at their highest amount in almost 12 years. The agency said that the prices could rise further.

The effects of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain initiative, India’s prohibition of rice exports, and the El Niño phenomenon pose a threat to global rice production but according to the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines, supply and demand of rice is stable.

One of the effects of global warming on rice crops is a condition called “chalkiness” where the crops are less compact. This condition can lead to lower milling yields. Researchers from Arkansas were able to reduce chalkiness as well as lower heat-induced stress in rice grains by the use of gene editing.

The Philippines is a country that is vulnerable to climate change. Regular rice varieties being planted in the country are not able to withstand extreme weather conditions. The researchers at the International Rice Research Institute are seeking ways to produce varieties that can withstand climate change.

India has announced that it is prohibiting the export of non-basmati white rice. Effective immediately, the move is predicted to affect the global rice trade.

As a part of the implementation of PhilRice and the Department of Agriculture 13’s Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund, 700 farmers in Agusan del Norte will be receiving sacks of certified rice seeds worth PHP 760,000.