Latest news with #UNFoodandAgricultureOrganization
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Philippines eyes India, Thailand rice to reduce reliance on Vietnam
The agriculture department is in talks with private importers on purchases from producers like India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar Bloomberg By Neil Jerome Morales and Cliff Venzon The agriculture department is in talks with private importers on purchases from producers like India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said in an interview on Friday. There may also be a 'deal' with Indonesia and Thailand, he added. 'We are trying to diversify sources to keep a level playing field,' Laurel said. Vietnam is 'the most reliable' supplier, but the fact that its shipments account for 90 per cent of the Philippines' rice imports could be a 'problem' in case of supply shocks, he said. The price of all rice varieties sold by Vietnam rose to a three-month high in April because of an 'uptick in buying interest from domestic and offshore traders,' according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Affordable prices of the staple grain are central to the agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also helmed the agriculture department before appointing Laurel in November 2023. His government slashed import tariffs from 35 per cent to 15 per cent last year and declared a food security emergency in February to tame runaway prices. That's helped slow overall inflation to its lowest level since 2019, giving the central bank room to further cut interest rates. Laurel expects this year's rice imports will be lower than in 2024 and won't exceed 4.5 million tonnes. His outlook compares with a forecast from the US Department of Agriculture that sees the Southeast Asian nation importing 5.4 million tonnes in 2025. Domestically, the country is on track to produce a record of 20.46 million tonnes in rough rice output this year, the secretary said. Meanwhile, the Philippines is facing a 17 per cent duty on its goods to the US, the lowest rate in Southeast Asia — after Singapore — under President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff agenda. Laurel said this presents an opportunity as it could make Filipino shipments to the US, particularly seafood products like tilapia and shrimp, more competitive than those of its neighbours.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Philippines eyes India, Thailand rice to cut Vietnam reliance
[MANILA] The Philippines, the world's top rice importer, plans to look beyond its dominant supplier, Vietnam, to ensure steady supplies and competitive prices at home. The agriculture department is in talks with private importers on purchases from producers such as India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said on Friday (May 30). There may also be a 'deal' with Indonesia and Thailand, he added. 'We are trying to diversify sources to keep a level playing field,' Laurel said. Vietnam is 'the most reliable' supplier, but the fact that its shipments account for 90 per cent of the Philippines' rice imports could be a 'problem' in case of supply shocks, he said. The price of all rice varieties sold by Vietnam rose to a three-month high in April because of an 'uptick in buying interest from domestic and offshore traders', according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Affordable prices of the staple grain are central to the agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who also helmed the agriculture department before appointing Laurel in November 2023. His government slashed import tariffs from 35 to 15 per cent last year and declared a food security emergency in February to tame runaway prices. That's helped slow overall inflation to its lowest level since 2019, giving the central bank room to further cut interest rates. Laurel expects this year's rice imports will be lower than in 2024 and will not exceed 4.5 million tonnes. His outlook compares with a forecast from the US Department of Agriculture that sees the South-east Asian nation importing 5.4 million tonnes in 2025. Domestically, the country is on track to produce a record of 20.46 million tonnes in rough rice output this year, the secretary said. Meanwhile, the Philippines is facing a 17 per cent duty on its goods to the US, the lowest rate in South-east Asia – after Singapore – under US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff agenda. Laurel said this presents an opportunity as it could make Filipino shipments to the US, particularly seafood products such as tilapia and shrimp, more competitive than those of its neighbours. 'If our competitors are slapped with higher tariffs than us, it's fine,' he said.
Mint
4 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Philippines Eyes India, Thailand Rice to Cut Vietnam Reliance
(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines, the world's top rice importer, plans to look beyond its dominant supplier, Vietnam, to ensure steady supplies and competitive prices at home. The agriculture department is in talks with private importers on purchases from producers like India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said in an interview on Friday. There may also be a 'deal' with Indonesia and Thailand, he added. 'We are trying to diversify sources to keep a level playing field,' Laurel said. Vietnam is 'the most reliable' supplier, but the fact that its shipments account for 90% of the Philippines' rice imports could be a 'problem' in case of supply shocks, he said. The price of all rice varieties sold by Vietnam rose to a three-month high in April because of an 'uptick in buying interest from domestic and offshore traders,' according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Affordable prices of the staple grain are central to the agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also helmed the agriculture department before appointing Laurel in November 2023. His government slashed import tariffs from 35% to 15% last year and declared a food security emergency in February to tame runaway prices. That's helped slow overall inflation to its lowest level since 2019, giving the central bank room to further cut interest rates. Laurel expects this year's rice imports will be lower than in 2024 and won't exceed 4.5 million tons. His outlook compares with a forecast from the US Department of Agriculture that sees the Southeast Asian nation importing 5.4 million tons in 2025. Domestically, the country is on track to produce a record of 20.46 million tons in rough rice output this year, the secretary said. Meanwhile, the Philippines is facing a 17% duty on its goods to the US, the lowest rate in Southeast Asia — after Singapore — under President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff agenda. Laurel said this presents an opportunity as it could make Filipino shipments to the US, particularly seafood products like tilapia and shrimp, more competitive than those of its neighbors. 'If our competitors are slapped with higher tariffs than us, it's fine,' he said. More stories like this are available on
Daily News Egypt
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Oxford Research Highlights Role of Sustainable Palm Oil in Securing Egypt's Food Supply and Forests
As Egypt continues to rely heavily on imported edible oils, new research from Oxford University warns that shifting away from sustainable palm oil could raise global environmental risks and food production costs. Egypt currently imports around 98% of its edible oil needs, making food security a pressing national concern. Palm oil accounts for roughly 67% of the Egyptian market, valued at $1.3 billion in 2023. Replacing it with alternatives such as soybean or sunflower oil could significantly increase pressure on global forests and raise prices, according to leading data scientist Hannah Ritchie. In her new book, Not the End of the World, Ritchie notes that palm oil is the most land-efficient vegetable oil crop, producing 2.8 tonnes per hectare—nearly 10 times more than olive oil. Substituting palm oil with less efficient crops would require up to 148 million additional hectares of land globally, driving deforestation and pushing food costs higher. Malaysia, which supplied nearly 27% of Egypt's palm oil imports in 2023, has emerged as a global leader in sustainable palm oil production. Through the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, over 96% of the country's production is now certified as sustainable. These practices help limit deforestation, protect biodiversity, and ensure responsible land management—critical factors in addressing climate change and ensuring long-term food stability. The global narrative around palm oil is also shifting. While often blamed for forest loss, recent studies show that beef production now accounts for over 40% of global deforestation, while palm oil's impact has declined due to improved sustainability standards. With Egypt's vegetable oil consumption expected to rise by 15% by 2030, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), maintaining a stable and sustainable supply will be essential. Strengthening international partnerships in sustainable palm oil can support Egypt's Vision 2030 goals, delivering both environmental protection and affordable nutrition to Egyptian families. As food prices rise and environmental concerns grow, the message is clear: sustainable palm oil is not just a global issue—it's a national priority.
Shafaq News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Fading green: Iraq's battle against barrenness
Shafaq News/ Iraq's green spaces are vanishing at an alarming rate, with vegetation now covering just 17% of the country's land—a steep decline from previous decades that has sparked national concern. From Lush to Barren Government and UN data paint a bleak picture: Iraq's green cover has plunged from nearly 50% in the past decades to less than a fifth today. Forests now make up just 1.9% of the country, or about 825,000 hectares, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. In Baghdad, over half the capital's greenery has disappeared since 2023, the Ministry of Environment reported. Air quality has deteriorated drastically, placing Baghdad among the world's most polluted cities. The country's iconic date palm groves are also vanishing—45% have been lost to drought, disease, and rising soil salinity. The broader environmental crisis is compounded by climate change, rapid urban expansion, weak enforcement of environmental laws, declining rainfall—down 30% over the past 50 years—and rising temperatures that accelerate desertification. The UN Environment Programme estimates Iraq has lost 60% of its fertile land since the 1980s, with nearly 20% of what remains at high risk. Environmental experts warn that without sustained action, the country faces ecological collapse. The World Bank ranked Iraq 11th globally in climate vulnerability in 2024, citing extreme heat, water shortages, and fragile institutional capacity. In the Kurdistan Region, forest cover has dropped 30% in just two decades, largely due to illegal logging. A Nation Reclaims Its Green In response, Iraq has launched nationwide reforestation efforts. In December 2024, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the Baghdad Sustainable Forest initiative, which aims to plant 10 million trees by 2030. The program builds on the 2023 Green Baghdad plan, which targets a 15% increase in the city's green space and the creation of 108 parks. Dhi Qar province has recently joined the national effort. Deputy Governor Majed Hamid Al-Attabi announced a campaign to plant 15,000 trees along key routes, including the Ya Hussein road. He said the initiative aligns with the federal government's push to expand green zones and combat desertification.
