Philippines To Lessen Rice Imports In 2009

The Philippines, the world's biggest rice importer this year, may buy much less of the grain for 2009 barring any major production problems.

The Philippines typically imports about 10 % of its annual rice requirements to fill a gap in domestic production and boost stocks ahead of the seasonally lean third quarter.

Under the agriculture department's rice self-sufficiency plan, unmilled rice production is expected to reach 18.5 million MT in 2009 and 19.8 million MT in 2010, from a target of 17.3 million MT this year.