NFA awaits the approval of the immediate purchase of 250 thousand tons of rice in intergovernmental transactions. The remaining 240,8 thousand tons is planned to buy from local farmers or abroad.

The Minister of agriculture of the Philippines Emmanuel Pinol said that the need for urgent import of rice is not, because this year the country will gather a good harvest. Local rice production in the first quarter is 210 thousand tons more than the year before. "Any imports in this period will lead to a drop in the price of local rice, which will hit the farmers," he said.

Managing NFA Jason Laureano Aquino wants, however, to imported rice arrived in the beginning of this month to give the opportunity to prepare for probable disasters. He assured that imported rice will enter the market and will not compete with local grain.

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