The volume of unmilled rice or palay produced in the Philippines amounted to around 19.76 million metric tons in 2022. Palay production has fluctuated in the country since 2012, with its peak volume recorded in 2021.
Rice consumption in the Philippines
The Philippines is among the largest rice consumers globally, with this grain considered a staple food among Filipino households. Rice is a constant companion in most Filipino dishes and is a main ingredient for several snacks and desserts. However, despite domestic production, the Philippines imports large volumes of rice, especially broken and glutinous rice, making it one of the largest rice importers in the Asia-Pacific region after China.
Retail price of rice in the Philippines
The retail price of regular-milled rice in the Philippines has been slowly declining since 2018. From an average of about 44 Philippine pesos per kilogram in 2018, prices decreased to 39.43 Philippine pesos per kilogram in 2022. In comparison, the retail price of well-milled rice has been steady at around 43 Philippine pesos per kilogram while special rice remains the most expensive type. The price of rice in the Philippines is affected by multiple factors, including global supply and demand, domestic production, and trade policies.
