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The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam has recently announced that the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines (DA) has officially initiated a preliminary investigation into the application of global safeguard measures on imported rice, based on a petition submitted by the domestic industry. This move indicates that Philippine authorities are strengthening protective measures to safeguard the domestic rice sector against increasing competitive pressure from imported products.
The products subject to investigation include various types of imported rice such as paddy rice, husked rice (brown rice), semi-milled rice, wholly milled rice, and broken rice under Chapter 1006 of the AHTN tariff schedule, covering HS codes 1006.10, 1006.20, 1006.30, and 1006.40. The investigation period is defined from 2020 to August 2025.
According to the investigating authority, the petition submitted by the domestic industry is based on statistical data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and other official sources. The preliminary assessment indicates a significant increase in rice imports into the Philippines over several years, both in absolute volume and in proportion to domestic production and consumption.
The Department of Agriculture of the Philippines noted that the surge in imports has caused considerable adverse impacts on the domestic rice industry, particularly rice farmers. Reported indicators of injury include declining market share of locally produced rice, increasing import penetration, rising commercial inventories, reduced self-sufficiency capacity, increasing production costs without productivity improvements, falling farm-gate rice prices, shrinking harvested areas, and a widening gap between farm-gate and retail prices.
In addition, the investigating authority considers that there is a causal link between the increase in rice imports and the serious injury or threat of serious injury to the domestic industry. Lower-priced imported rice has exerted downward pressure on domestic market prices and directly affected farmers’ selling prices through price transmission mechanisms.
Based on the evaluation of the petition and recommendations from the Trade Remedies Division under the Policy Research Service, the Philippine Secretary of Agriculture concluded that sufficient evidence exists to proceed with a preliminary investigation. In accordance with Rule 5.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), the Department of Agriculture will also assess public interest factors during the investigation, including economic and political conditions and the adequacy of domestic supply.
The Philippine investigating authority has invited all interested parties, including exporters, importers, producers, traders, millers, and relevant organizations, to submit written comments, arguments, and evidence related to the case. The deadline for submission is within five working days from the date of publication of the initiation notice (24 March 2026), to be sent to the Trade Remedies Office (TRO), Policy Research Service – Department of Agriculture in Quezon City, Philippines.
Under Philippine law, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for conducting the preliminary investigation. If preliminary findings confirm injury, the Philippine Tariff Commission will proceed with a formal investigation and consider the application of safeguard measures.
From this development, the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam recommends that Vietnamese rice exporters and industry associations actively monitor the investigation and prepare response strategies. Although the initial deadline for comments has passed, companies may still participate in the case by formally registering their interest and explaining the reason for late access to information.
Enterprises are also advised to review their export activities to the Philippines during the 2020–2025 period and prepare relevant data to develop counter-arguments, particularly on public interest considerations, the extent of injury to the domestic industry, causality, and unforeseen developments. Close coordination with the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade is essential to ensure effective support during the investigation process.
Furthermore, strengthening cooperation with importers in the Philippines is considered a key factor in encouraging stakeholders to submit opinions and request the investigating authority to terminate the case if insufficient grounds for safeguard measures are found.
Notably, this is the second time that rice has been subject to a safeguard investigation in the Philippines. In the previous investigation, effective coordination among enterprises, industry associations, and government authorities led to the termination of the case. This experience demonstrates that protecting export interests remains feasible if stakeholders proactively participate and prepare comprehensive documentation.
To protect their legitimate interests, manufacturers and exporters should familiarize themselves with the procedure and actively contact Vietnam Antidumping Law Firm specializing in anti-dumping and trade remedy for timely assistance.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
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