El Nino Drought and Pork Import Tariffs: Farm News for October 25, 2026
The palay price outlook faces heavy pressure this October 25, 2026 as prolonged dry spells cause ₱300 million in farm damage across Eastern Visayas. Along with drought concerns in palay farming, hog raisers are pushing back against heavy meat imports while the intertropical convergence zone brings scattered rains across southern regions.
Looking for today's price? See palay price today and fertilizer price in the Philippines.
7 stories from 9 newsrooms, among them Inquirer, SunStar and The Chronicle PH. Each one comes with what it means for your farm and a link to the full report.
Dry fields in the Visayas and shifting weather patterns demand careful water management for every standing crop this week.
Palay Price and Drought Losses
Eastern Visayas Incurs P300 Million Farm Losses From Dry Spell
Dry conditions tied to El Nino caused roughly ₱300 million in farm damages throughout Eastern Visayas. The dry weather impacted nearly 8,000 hectares of land, chiefly rice fields, affecting more than 6,400 farmers.
Drying fields cut harvest yields and directly sway the palay price buyers offer at the farmgate. Farmers with standing crops need to inspect canal networks and alternate watering schedules where supplies run low. Protecting surviving tillers prevents total loss before the grain hardens.
Malaking bawas sa ani ang dulot ng tagtuyot sa palay, kaya bantayan ang natitirang tubig sa pilapil. Ayusin ang patubig sa palayan para umabot ang butil sa paghinog bago tuluyang matuyo ang lupa.
Inquirer, October 24
Read the full report at Inquirer
Central Visayas Farm Offices Prepare Support for El Nino Threat
Agriculture and fisheries agencies in Central Visayas rolled out response measures to shield farmers and fishers from dry spell hazards. Cooperative planning among regional bodies aims to lessen production drops during dry months.
Regional preparations mean local offices will soon allocate drought support, shallow tube wells, and seed relief to sustain palay farming through the heat. Farmers in vulnerable districts should verify their farm registration to secure future crop assistance. Coordinating early with your irrigation group ensures fair water turns among neighboring lots.
Naghahanda ang mga tanggapan sa Central Visayas para sa tagtuyot, kaya tiyaking rehistrado ang iyong sakahan. Makipag-ugnayan agad sa irigasyon para sa maayos na hatian ng tubig sa bawat pinitak.
SunStar, October 24
Read the full report at SunStar
Zamboanga City Secures P15 Million Partnership to Support Grain Farmers
A ₱15 million agreement between Zamboanga City and grain authorities will deliver direct financial help to local rice producers. The funding targets expanded support for rice growers across the area.
Cash aid programs soften the blow of high seed and fuel bills during land preparation. Rice growers in the city should connect with local coordinators to find out how payouts will roll out. Extra operational funds help maintain planned abono applications even as retail costs fluctuate.
May ₱15 milyon na tulong para sa mga magsasaka sa Zamboanga City para maibsan ang gastos sa pataba at krudo. Alamin sa inyong baranggay kung paano makakasama sa listahan ng ayuda para sa palay.
2 newsrooms, October 24. Read it at:
The Chronicle PH
Facebook
Livestock Tariffs and Meat Import Tensions
Soccsksargen Hog Raisers Demand Halt to Foreign Pork Shipments
Hog raisers across Region 12 asked authorities to end foreign pork inflows because low farmgate returns and costly feeds hurt local business. Over one hundred producers already disposed of their breeding sows and left hog farming.
Plunging livestock returns directly hurt diversified growers who use pig pens to balance out poor harvest earnings. When backyard hog pens close, local demand for yellow corn and rice bran also takes a hit. Smallholders should recalculate feed margins before restocking pens with fresh piglets.
Bumagsak ang kita sa baboy kaya marami ang nagbenta ng inahin, na nagpapababa rin sa demand sa darak at mais. Kwentahin munang mabuti ang gastos sa pakain bago magpasok ng bagong biik sa kulungan.
3 newsrooms, October 24. Read it at:
Inquirer
ABS CBN News
ABS CBN News on Facebook
Agriculture Leadership Pushes for 40 Percent Pork Tariff Return
Farm officials proposed returning import duties on pork to 40 percent alongside a two month moratorium on overseas meat entries. The plan intends to give backyard and commercial raisers space to recover from depressed market values.
A jump back to higher import duties could stabilize backyard pork prices in provincial livestock auctions. If tariffs rise and imports slow down, farmgate buying prices for finished market hogs may gradually firm up. Producers holding fatteners should monitor regional stockyards closely before accepting middleman offers.
Kapag naibalik ang 40 percent na taripa sa imported na baboy, posibleng umangat ang bentahe ng lokal na baboy. Bantayan ang presyuhan sa mga trader bago magbenta para hindi malugi sa pagod at pakain.
GMA News, October 24
Read the full report at GMA News
British Chamber Urges Philippines to Keep Lower Pork Tariffs
The British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines recommended keeping reduced tariffs on pork imports to curb grocery inflation. They stated lower import taxes protect retail shoppers amid animal health outbreaks and tight domestic supply.
Importers want low tariffs to keep city retail prices steady, but that keeps farmgate livestock prices depressed for local producers. Mixed farmers relying on livestock sales during the palay break face smaller profit cushions. Keeping biosecurity tight remains essential so illness does not wipe out remaining animals while margins are thin.
Gusto ng mga importer na manatiling mababa ang taripa, ngunit lalong naiipit ang presyo ng benta sa bukid. Doblehin ang pag-iingat sa sakit sa kulungan para hindi masayang ang puhunan habang mababa ang kita.
The Manila Times, October 25
Read the full report at The Manila Times
Weather Outlook and Island Rains
Intertropical Convergence Zone Spreads Rain Across Southern Island Groups
The intertropical convergence zone continues bringing overcast skies, scattered rain showers, and thunderstorms over Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Saturated grounds create risks of localized landslides and flash floods during intense downpours.
Sudden rains over Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao will disrupt grain drying along roadside pavements and outdoor drying slabs. Farmers should clear field furrows to keep standing crops from drowning under sudden cloudbursts. Check wet palay immediately to avoid grain discoloration and heat damage inside damp sacks.
May ulan dulot ng ITCZ sa Visayas, Mindanao, at Palawan, kaya delikadong mabulok ang ibinibilad na palay. Linisin ang mga kanal sa bukid at itaas ang mga naaning sako para hindi mabasa sa biglang buhos ng ulan.
PAGASA, October 25
Read the full report at PAGASA
Actions for Field Work This Week
- Inspect field drainage ditches in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao to release flash runoff from afternoon thunderstorms.
- Move harvested grains to sheltered platforms to prevent water damage during intermittent rain.
- Verify your municipal farmer registration details to qualify for upcoming dry spell aid and input distributions.
- Review swine feed conversion and feed costs before retaining excess fatteners or purchasing feeder stock.
Plan your season effectively with tools built for Philippine agriculture.
- Track weather updates lot by lot to time your harvest.
- Keep your farm expenses and livestock records accurate every day.
- Consult Anee anytime for practical advice on pest and water management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the dry spell affect palay in the Philippines right now?
What weather system is bringing rain to Mindanao and Visayas today?
Why are hog raisers protesting against imported pork?
What tariff changes are farm officials proposing for pork?
- Inquirer: Eastern Visayas absorbs P300M agri losses due to El Niño
- SunStar: DA 7 nangamdam sa El Niño
- The Chronicle PH: Zamboanga City, NFA sign P15 M agreement to aid farmers
- Facebook: Zamboanga City, NFA ink P15 M deal to support farmers ZAMBOANGA CITY, The city government has allocated PHP15 million for a 2026 incentive program that will give qualified farmers an additional PHP8 per kilogram of palay (unhusked rice) purchased
- Inquirer: Soccsksargen hog raisers to DA: Stop pork imports
- ABS CBN News: Hog raisers extend 'pork holiday' to Sunday, seek total import ban
- ABS CBN News on Facebook: Following their protest outside the Department of Agriculture's office in Quezon City last October 23, hog raisers are extending their "pork holiday" until Sunday, October 26, as they press the government to stop pork imports. Link to full story in the comments sec
- GMA News: DA seeks return of 40 percent tariff on imported pork, two month import holiday
- The Manila Times: BCCP urges PH government to maintain reduced pork import tariffs
- PAGASA: PAGASA Daily Weather: Issued at: 4:00 AM, 25 October 2026
