ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve
ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve
The ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) is a regional cooperation established under the APTERR Agreement signed by the Ministers of the Agriculture and Forestry of the ASEAN Plus Three at the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Minister on Agriculture and Forestry Plus Three (AMAF+3) on 7 October 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The APTERR was officially established itself as a permanent mechanism and also marked the official launch of the APTERR Secretariat office in Bangkok in 2013.
We are keen to strengthen food security, poverty alleviation, and malnourishment eradication among its members without distorting normal trade, while the common goal of the APTERR Parties is the assurance of food security in the ASEAN+3 region.
275 MT
360 MT
Total :635 MT
300 MT
302 MT
1,000 MT
Total :1,602 MT
375 MT
2,000 MT
Total :2,375 MT
400 MT
Total :400 MT
Natural Disasters
WEEKLY UPDATE ON NATURAL DISASTERS
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE
No. 454 
4 - 10 February 2026
Moderate-intensity earthquakes struck Myanmar. On 3 February 2026, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar, with its epicentre located about 32.19 kilometres west-northwest of Sattutthara. The tremor was recorded at a depth of 58 kilometres. Later the same day, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the same area, with its epicentre located about 41.84 kilometres from Sattutthara at a depth of 44 kilometres. The earthquakes were classified as moderate intensity according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. No casualties or injuries were reported.
Source: The Star. (2026, Feb 5). Magnitude 5.2 earthquakes strikes in western Myanmar.
Tropical Storm Basyang claimed 12 lives in the Philippines. As of 8 February 2026, Tropical Storm Basyang, internationally known as Penha, had killed 12 people, including nine in Northern Mindanao and three in Caraga, the Philippines. The storm affected about 467,000 people, across 850 barangays in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, and damaged around 445 houses, including 38 that were totally destroyed. Rapid damage assessment of infrastructure and agricultural were ongoing. Local authorities were conducting search, rescue and relief operations.
Source: Philippine News Agency. (2026, Feb 8). ‘Basyang’ death toll rises to 12, affected families now 132k.
A Landslide killed 10 people in China. On 9 February 2026, continuous rainfall softened mudstone on a high-steep slope, triggering a landslide in Sichuan Province, Southwest China. The disaster resulted in 10 fatalities, 19 missing people, and two injuries. According to the provincial department of natural resources, mining activities were not directly linked to the landslide.
Source: China Daily. (2026, Feb 9). Landslide in Southwest China caused by rain-softened slope, not mining: report.
Heavy snow disrupted transportation across Japan. As of 8 February 2026, heavy snowfall hit widespread areas of Japan, particularly in the west and along the Sea of Japan coast. Meanwhile, central Tokyo received a light covering of snow. The snowfall caused traffic disruptions near Kyoto and in southwestern Fukui Prefecture and eastern Tottori Prefecture. Some locations experienced unusually heavy snow including Tottori Prefecture and Shobara City where 37 centimetres of snow accumulated within six hours. The weather agency also issued heavy snow warning in some parts of Tokyo. Due to adverse weather conditions, the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train lines operated at reduced speeds. Over 50,000 commuters were affected by train suspensions and delays.
Source: Japan Wire by Kyodo News. (2026, Feb 8). Heavy snowfall hits northern, western Japan, Tokyo also blanketed by snow.
Heavy snow affected airport operations in South Korea. On 8 February 2026, heavy snow disrupted flight operations at Jeju International Airport in South Korea. Of the 461 flights scheduled, 163 arrivals and departures were cancelled, and five aircraft were diverted, stranding around 11,000 passengers. Flight operations were suspended until 11 a.m. due to heavy snow and strong winds. Although airport officials deployed snow-removal vehicles to clear runways, disruptions were expected to continue as the snowstorm persisted. Jeju International Airport and the provincial government provided emergency supplies to affected passengers. A heavy snow warning remained in effect for Jeju's mountainous areas.
Source: The Korea Times. (2026, Feb 8). Heavy snow grounds flights at Jeju airport, stranding about 11,000 passengers.
Rice Situation
WEEKLY UPDATE ON ASEAN PLUS THREE
RICE SITUATIONS
No. 454
4 - 10 February 2026
Indonesia is preparing to export rice to Saudi Arabia. Indonesia will export 2,280 tons of domestically produced premium rice to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj season to supply meals for 205,420 Indonesian pilgrims. The rice, sourced from government reserves under the food stabilization program, will meet the maximum 5 percent broken-rate quality standard. The National Food Agency will assign the state logistics agency, Bulog, to be in charge of the shipment after final approval, and the shipments are set to start in the third week of February, with up to 3,000 tonnes of rice to meet the additional demand.
Source: ANTARA News. (2026, February 3). Japan's annual farm exports rise to new record 1.7 trillion yen.
The Philippines considers Viet Nam’s rice as the new benchmark for import tariffs. The Philippines is considering adopting Vietnam’s fragrant rice variety Dai Thom 8 (DT8) as the new reference point for its rice import tariff system, replacing the current benchmark tied to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) free-on-board price for 5 percent broken rice. According to the Department of Agriculture Secretary, using Viet Nam’s DT8 rice is better than the standard 5 percent broken rice as the reference tariff, which more accurate measure of the actual value of Viet Nam’s rice traded in the international market. DT8 rice is currently quoted at 430 – 450 USD per tonne, which is significantly higher than the FAO’s quotation at 361 USD per tonne for 5 percent broken rice. The proposed change of the new tariff aligns with the Philippines’ flexible rice tariff scheme, introduced this year, which allows import duties to adjust in response to movements in global rice prices. In addition, the Philippines is the world’s largest rice importer in 2026, with about 5.5 million tonnes of rice, and also Viet Nam’s largest rice export market in 2025, accounting for 38.3 percent of the total rice exports.
Source: Borneo Bulletin. (2026, February 9). Philippines considers Vietnam’s rice as new tariff benchmark.
Thailand Pushes Thai Organic Rice into Global Premium Markets in 2026. The Department of Foreign Trade plans to promote Thai organic rice in premium global markets in 2026, positioning it as a high-quality, environmentally friendly product for modern consumers. A trade delegation will visit Switzerland and Germany in February 2026 to meet organic rice agencies and key importers, aiming to expand markets and strengthen trade ties. The highlight activity is a one-week promotional campaign in 10 Thai SELECT restaurants in Zurich and Frankfurt, showcasing Thai organic rice through special menu offerings. The department will also collaborate with influencers in key markets, including the United States (US), China, and the European Union, to promote Thai organic rice via social media later in 2026. Additionally, 12 Thai community enterprises and SMEs will participate in major international trade fairs such as BIOFACH 2026 in Germany and Natural Products Expo West 2026 in the US to expand global trade networks. The initiative aims to boost exports, increase product value, and create stable income for local farmers and entrepreneurs.
Source: Thairath. (2026, February 4). Department of Foreign Trade Promotes Thai Organic Rice to Global Premium Markets.
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