MANILA: Philippines is seeking another 300,000 tonnes of rice imports to boost state stockpiles while battling the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and ahead of its own lean season in the third quarter, a senior official said on Monday (May 11).
A government-to-government deal of this volume would raise Philippine rice imports so far this year to a record 3 million tonnes. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a statement the government has already sent inquiries to Asia's biggest producers in Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Cambodia.