Philippines to import 250,000 tonnes of rice

The Philippines' state grains buyer issued on Thursday an international tender to buy 250,000 tonnes of 25 percent broken long grain white rice, rushing to boost thinning government stockpile. Bids must be submitted on or before July 25, when the sealed offers will be opened, the National Food Authority (NFA) said.
The Philippines, one of the world's biggest rice importers, usually buys from major suppliers Vietnam and Thailand. However, this time the tender is also open to private suppliers from other countries including Pakistan and top supplier India. Manila has shifted away from buying rice under government-to-government deals to ensure competitiveness and transparency following accusations that some NFA officials were making money from such deals, which the agency has denied.