Philippines Importing 600,000 Tons Of Rice

November 17, 2009 12:21 p.m. EST

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The Philippine government is purchasing another 600,000 tons of rice next year raising its rice import for 2010 to 1.45 million metric tons.

The government placed advertisement on newspapers that it will place its tender for the rice import on Dec. 8 as it expects a shortfall in rice supply due to the destruction of rice crops by typhoons and an anticipated drought next year.

It will be the third rice tender for the Philippines. A week ago, it ordered 600,000 tons of rice and 250,000 tons in November.

The National Food Authority, which is making the import, said the new tender is being made so the Philippines will get ahead of India, which also plans to import rice, and an expected increase in rice prices.

The country lost 1 million tons of rice from storms in October.