A worker climbs on a pile of rice stock inside a warehouse of the government National Food Authority in Bicutan, Philippines, September 28, 2010. (Reuters file photo)MANILA -- The Philippines, one of the world's top rice buyers, will issue a tender to import 250,000 tonnes of the grain next month, to boost low stockpiles before the lean harvest season and to offset potential crop damage during the typhoon season. Expectations of fresh rice demand from some of the world's top importers such as the Philippines and Bangladesh have pushed up prices in Thailand and Vietnam. The council will also finalise the import terms for up to 805,000 tonnes of rice that local private traders will bring in under an annual quota scheme, which should ensure supply even during the typhoon season, Ms Ablaza said. The Philippines' typhoon season typically peaks in October to December with the strongest storms landing then, damaging the country's rice crops.

Source: Bangkok Post May 22, 2017 04:52 UTC