Rice import deferred amid ample supply

THE National Food Authority (NFA) has deferred again its rice importation plans because there is ample inventory at government- and privately-owned warehouses.

As of April 1, more than 3.3 million metric tons of rice in stock—well above the inventory requirement for the lean months —which is sufficient to feed the population for 105 days. The Food Staples Sufficiency Program requires 90-day buffer stock during lean months and 60-day supply at other times.