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Philippines: Supermarkets slow on rice importation
MANILA, Philippines — Almost a month after the interagency National Food Authority (NFA) council gave its nod, rice importation by supermarkets remains slow and still way below the 350,000 metric tons allocation.
Agriculture Secretary and NFA Council chairman Emmanuel Piñol said of the allocated volume, only 15,000 MT has been approved which was applied by Lucio Co-owned Puregold Price Club Inc.
“The problem is that some (of the applicants) were not aware that part of the requirements of NFA is that the importer should have the proper warehouse (for the volume),” Piñol said.
He added that the issue is currently being addressed and other supermarkets have already expressed interest to import including Gokongwei-led Robinsons Supermarket.
While the NFA Council is now allowing the unlimited importation of rice even before the tarrification bill gets enacted, the DTI would still continue the program until the entire volume has been allocated.
“The importation for supermarkets was approved long before we decided on the out-quota program. We cannot just take it back. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will utilize that program,” Piñol said.
Private traders can source the rice imports from any country with the maximum quantity to be allocated per importer set at 20,000 MT.
All rice to be imported will be levied with a 35 percent tariff for ASEAN source country and 50 percent for non-ASEAN origin.
Rice import allocation of qualified importers must be shipped in not later than 90 days after the issuance of the certificate of eligibility to import rice.
Last month, the NFA Council approved the proposal of the DTI that they be allowed to partner with private traders for rice distribution in supermarkets.
All imported rice will be sold in supermarkets at P38 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, the council has also finalized the penalties to be imposed to retailers who will violate the implementation of the suggested retail price (SRP) of rice.
Among the administrative penalties include warning for the first offense, fine of P8,000 to P12,000 for second offense and a fine of P12,000 to P20,000 and the cancellation of license for the third offense.
Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/11/23/1870834/supermarkets-slow-rice-importation#1WuZUZJWY88urO8Z.99