Philippines to cut wheat imports due to lower feed demand

The Philippines plans to reduce wheat imports in the July 2025-June 2026 marketing year due to weaker demand for animal feed, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said. According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), wheat imports are estimated at 7.2 million tonnes, 3% lower than the previous forecast of 7.4 million tonnes, which was revised upwards on expectations of higher demand for food and feed.

The Philippines is completely dependent on wheat imports because the local climate is not conducive to its cultivation. The country imports wheat for flour production and feed wheat for livestock. The USDA-FAS in Manila said that demand for feed wheat is declining as local feed producers prefer corn due to its physical properties and better nutritional qualities. In the second half of 2024, imported feed wheat was $12.22–$48.41 per ton more expensive than corn, and rising global corn production will make corn prices more competitive in the next marketing year.

For the current marketing year, which ends in a month, the USDA forecasts wheat imports at 6.8 million tons, down from an earlier estimate of 7.2 million tons and less than the 6.9 million tons imported in 2023/24. In the previous marketing year, the United States, Australia, Brazil and Canada were the main suppliers of wheat to the Philippines, with the United States remaining the leader next year. In 2024, the Philippines was the second largest market for American wheat exports, with 2.7 million MT worth $735.71 million.

Meanwhile, the USDA maintained its forecast for rice imports by the Philippines for next year at 5.5 million tonnes, a record high. Population growth, tourism and the importance of rice as a staple food are the main drivers of this demand. If the forecast is realized, the Philippines will retain its status as the world’s largest rice importer for the fourth consecutive year.

These changes in wheat and rice imports reflect the Philippines’ strategic decisions to adapt to market conditions and ensure food security. A decline in demand for feed wheat could affect global markets, particularly suppliers such as the United States, while rising rice imports underscore the importance of this product to the country’s economy and people.

Tags: Philippines, wheat, imports