NFA sets bidding for P10.2-B rice imports

MANILA, Philippines - The National Food Authority (NFA) is bidding on Aug. 27 the importation of 500,000 metric tons (MT) of rice for the contract price of P10.27 billion.

In a bid notice issued over the weekend, the agency said the shipments must be white rice with 25 percent brokens and are well-milled. The rice should have been harvested from January to June 2014 and is freshly-milled.

These must be packed in polypropylene bags with NFA markings at 50 kilograms each as no container shipment shall be allowed.

The first 40 percent (200,000 MT) of the volume shall be delivered not later than Sept. 30 while another 40 percent of the volume shall be delivered not later than Oct. 31. The remaining 20 percent of the total volume (100,000 MT) shall be delivered not later than Nov. 30.

Bidders, which may come from omnibus origin, should offer to supply a minimum of 50,000 MT.

The NFA shall open for open bidding five lots of 100,000 MT each with a contract price of P2.054 billion each. The bidding fee per lot is fixed at P75,000.

Suppliers with pending import-related liabilities prior to 2013 are not allowed to participate in the bidding unless these have been fully settled before the bidding date.

Interested bidders may now secure from the NFA office in Quezon City the list of requirements, terms of reference and bid instructions.

A pre-bid conference for the importation will be held on Aug. 11.

The Philippines is importing another 500,000 MT of rice after importing 800,000 MT this year for use as buffer stock during the prevailing lean season for rice cropping and drive down domestic rice prices.

The NFA Council has also approved, on standby, the importation of as much as 500,000 MT more this year as needed.

In his recent state of the nation address, President Aquino said the government would not hesitate to flood the market with imported rice to crush the operations of opportunistic traders who have been hoarding rice stocks for release at high prices.