VINAGRI News - Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen bilateral rice trade cooperation, with the Philippines recognizing Vietnam as a stable and reliable rice supplier that plays an important role in ensuring food security and stabilizing its domestic market. The two sides agreed to explore upgrading the existing rice trade Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or establishing a more legally robust and stable cooperation framework. They also committed to addressing import procedures and maintaining an uninterrupted rice supply chain.
Summary:
> Vietnam remains a key rice supplier to the Philippines: The Philippines continues to recognize Vietnam as a stable and reliable source of rice, with Vietnamese rice valued for its consistent quality and suitability to local consumer preferences.
> Rice trade framework may be upgraded: The Philippines has acknowledged and will study Vietnam’s proposal to upgrade the existing rice trade MoU or establish a more stable and legally binding framework for bilateral rice trade.
> Safeguard investigation discussed: Vietnam and the Philippine Tariff Commission discussed the ongoing safeguard investigation concerning imported rice. Vietnam urged the Commission to assess the case in the broader context of Philippine rice supply, import policies, food security, prices, businesses and consumers.
> Commitment to resolve SPS-IC bottlenecks: Both sides agreed to strengthen technical coordination over Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPS-IC) procedures, with the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) and the Philippine Rice Industry Association (PRIA) serving as focal points to review cases and prevent disruptions to rice trade.
Vietnam remains a stable and reliable rice supplier
Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen cooperation in rice trade, reaffirming the importance of stable and reliable rice supplies between the two countries.
The discussions took place during a working visit by an inter-agency Vietnamese delegation to the Philippines on rice trade. The delegation was led by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Vietnam in the Philippines and the Vietnam Food Association (VFA).
During the meetings, Philippine authorities highly valued Vietnam’s role as a stable and reliable rice supplier, highlighting its contribution to food security and domestic market stabilization.
Both sides agreed to continue closely coordinating the implementation of the existing Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade cooperation, with the goal of maintaining stable supply chains while balancing the interests of farmers, businesses and consumers in both countries.
Toward a higher-level rice trade framework
The Philippines acknowledged Vietnam’s proposal to upgrade the existing rice trade MoU or establish a cooperation framework with a higher degree of legal certainty and stability.
Such a framework would aim to facilitate bilateral rice trade, ensure greater predictability for businesses and support a stable supply chain in line with international legal requirements and actual market conditions.
The Philippine side said it would study the proposal as part of efforts to strengthen long-term cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnam raises concerns over rice safeguard investigation
The Vietnamese delegation also held discussions with the Philippine Tariff Commission (TC) regarding the ongoing safeguard investigation into imported rice.
Vietnam presented the Commission with key positions, information and arguments contained in its comments submitted to the TC. The Vietnamese side emphasized that the investigation should be assessed within the broader context of the Philippine rice market.
Vietnam called for consideration of factors including the implementation of the Philippines’ rice import policies, including lower import tariffs and the issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPS-IC), as well as the role of imported rice in maintaining supply, stabilizing prices and ensuring food security.
The Vietnamese side also highlighted the potential impact of trade measures on Philippine businesses and consumers.
Philippines continues to value Vietnamese rice
During a separate meeting with the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the two sides discussed implementation of the bilateral rice trade MoU, measures to facilitate rice imports and exports, and the future direction of bilateral cooperation.
Philippine agricultural officials said the country is pursuing a policy of diversifying its sources of rice imports. However, the Philippines reaffirmed that Vietnam remains a stable and major source of rice imports.
Vietnamese rice continues to receive positive assessments from Philippine importers and consumers because of its consistent quality and suitability to local market preferences.
Commitment to resolve SPS-IC issues
One of the key issues discussed was the difficulties surrounding the issuance of SPS-IC documents.
Vietnamese businesses have reported that some export contracts have already been signed but have encountered difficulties because the SPS-IC issuance process has taken longer than expected. Delays could affect delivery schedules and create risks for the continuity of the bilateral rice supply chain.
Both sides agreed to continue technical-level coordination to address these issues. The VFA and the Philippine Rice Industry Association (PRIA) will serve as focal points for exchanging information, reviewing specific cases and facilitating the resolution of outstanding issues.
The objective is to ensure that legitimate rice trade flows smoothly and that supply chains between the two countries remain uninterrupted.
Outlook for bilateral rice trade
Vietnam and the Philippines agreed to continue effectively implementing Article 2 on areas of cooperation and the implementation mechanism under the existing rice trade MoU between Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Philippine Department of Agriculture.
The mechanism is expected to provide a framework for monitoring bilateral rice trade and addressing difficulties that may arise during import and export activities.
The latest discussions signal a continued effort by both countries to strengthen the institutional foundation of rice trade, resolve immediate procedural bottlenecks and create more stable conditions for long-term commercial cooperation.
For Vietnam, the potential upgrade of the rice trade framework could provide greater predictability for exporters and reinforce the Philippines as a strategically important destination for Vietnamese rice. For the Philippines, maintaining diversified but reliable import sources remains important for food security, price stability and the resilience of its domestic rice market.
NPK/ Vinagri News
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