India, the world’s largest rice exporter, is aggressively pursuing opportunities to expand its footprint in the Philippines, the global leader in rice imports. With the Philippines importing $2.52 billion worth of rice in 2024, India sees a golden opportunity to boost its modest $48.91 million share of this market, according to a commerce ministry official. To capitalize on this potential, a high-powered delegation of Indian exporters is set to visit the Southeast Asian nation in early September, aiming to strengthen trade ties in rice, vegetables (onions and potatoes), groundnuts, and meat.
In 2024, the Philippines imported agricultural goods worth approximately $20 billion, with key imports including semi-milled rice, wheat, oilcake, food preparations, and palm oil. India’s agricultural exports to the Philippines reached $413 million, representing just 2% of the country’s total agricultural imports, with bovine meat, groundnuts, rice, and tobacco being the primary products. “Despite India’s global rice export dominance, valued at $11.83 billion in 2024-25, our share in the Philippine rice market remains significantly untapped,” the official noted, highlighting the vast potential for growth.
To further bolster this trade relationship, a delegation of Philippine food importers will attend India’s premier food trade fair, World Food India, from September 25-28, 2025, followed by the inaugural International Rice Conference on October 30-31, 2025. These events, organized by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), are expected to serve as critical platforms for forging new business partnerships and showcasing India’s diverse agricultural offerings.
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India’s push comes at a strategic time, as the Philippines grapples with high domestic rice prices and a reliance on imports to meet demand. In 2024, the Philippines imported 4.8 million metric tons of rice, primarily from Vietnam, which supplied 89.85% of its needs, while India contributed a mere 21,676 metric tons. The recent reduction of Philippine rice import tariffs from 35% to 15% under Executive Order 62 is likely to benefit Indian exporters, making their rice more competitive compared to pricier Vietnamese imports.
Beyond the Philippines, India’s agricultural exports are gaining traction in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, with exports rising from $480 million in 2023-24 to $628 million in 2024-25, driven largely by demand in Russia. APEDA’s participation in global trade events like World Food Moscow has further amplified India’s presence in these markets.
As India leverages its rice surplus and trade initiatives, the upcoming delegations and fairs signal a robust effort to deepen economic ties with the Philippines and beyond, positioning Indian agriculture as a global powerhouse.
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