PH corn import quota up 127% to 500,000 MT

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has increased the 2026 minimum access volume (MAV) for corn to 500,000 metric tons (MT), up from 220,000 MT. The Executive Order No. 129, signed on Oct. 26, takes effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

The MAV is the volume of an agricultural product that can be imported at a lower tariff. The order amends the rules under Republic Act No. 8178, the Agricultural Tariffication Act. Under that law, the President may propose MAV adjustments to Congress in cases of supply shortage or abnormal price increases. A proposal is deemed approved if Congress does not act on it within 15 days of receipt. The order says Marcos submitted this proposal on Sept. 29 and that Congress took no dispositive action within the period.

“The country is projected to experience a yellow corn supply deficit of approximately 1.422 million metric tons (MT) from March to December 2026, due to constraints on domestic production and increasing production costs, which may be further aggravated by higher fertilizer, fuel, freight, and other agricultural input costs, as well as weather-related risks, including the potential effects of El Niño,” the EO, signed on behalf of President Marcos by acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, stated.

Corn is the main energy component of livestock and poultry feed, so a shortage can raise feed costs and, in turn, the retail prices of pork and poultry products. The order says this could add to inflation pressure on food.

This story was originally published by PortCalls Asia. Read the full story at PortCalls Asia →