ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve 

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 What is APTERR?

 

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. 

 

 

 

APTEERR Stock Overview APTEER Stock Marker Map with Animation

Current APTERR stocks under the pre-positioned stockpiled rice system of Tier 3 for FY 2024

**The pre-positioned stockpiled system under Tier 3 programme in FY 2024 to ensure a timely rice assistance to people affected by calamities

Volume of APTERR stocks contributed by donors for FY2024 (MT)

Lao PDR

400 MT

300 MT

3,000 MT

Total :3,700 MT

Myanmar

500 MT

3,000 MT

Total :3,500 MT

Philippines

322 MT

4,000 MT

Total :4,322 MT

Natural Disasters

 

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WEEKLY UPDATE ON NATURAL DISASTERS
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE

No. 404 792726210d1e7546b7ced88db6894424 

29 January – 4 February 2025

  1. Indonesia
  2. Malaysia
  3. Japan
  4. Republic of Korea

Disaster emergency status was declared in Indonesia’s Bima regency. The local government of Bima regency on Sumbawa Island, Indonesia's West Nusa Tenggara province, officially declared a disaster emergency status on 4 February 2025 following severe flash floods and landslides. These disasters occurred on 2 February 2025, killing three people, and sweeping several houses and eight people away. Rice fields were also submerged. The emergency status would be effective from 4 to 17 February 2025. Besides, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck East Kolaka regency, Southeast Sulawesi province on 29 January 2025. The tremors were felt strongly in the regency with an intensity scale of IV-V MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity). This event marked the 125th earthquake in a series of tremors that hit the area since 24 January 2025.

Sources: TEMPO.CO. (2025, Jan 29). A Series of Quakes: M5.1 Earthquake Strikes Indonesia's East Kolaka; Xinhua. (2025, Feb 4). Indonesia's Bima regency declares disaster emergency status following deadly flash floods, landslides.

Floods wreaked havoc in Malaysia. The flood situation in Sarawak state, Malaysia was gradually improved on 2 February 2025. However, the number of flood victims from 62 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) exceeded 12,000 people. Meanwhile, the number of flood-affected people in Sabah state reached 1,651. Tongod district, which had just recovered from floods on 1 February 2025, was hit by flooding again, forcing other two PPS to reopen. 

Sources: The Star. (2025, Feb 2). Floods: Over 12,000 still displaced in Sarawak, evacuations increase in Sabah.

A record-breaking snowfall blanketed Japan's Hokkaido prefecture. Obihiro city, in Japan’s eastern Hokkaido prefecture was struck by 12 hours of record-breaking snowfall on 4 February 2024. The snow depth reached 1.29 metres, leaving vehicles stranded. Heavy snowfall was also recorded in Kushiro and Sapporo prefectures. Officials urged residents to avoid non-essential travel. Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings for heavy snow, snowstorms, and high waves. People were advised to stay alert for power outages, fallen trees, and avalanches. Additionally, an accumulation of snow had not exceeded 1.2 metres for 53 years.

Sources: The Watchers. (2025, Feb 4). Japan sets new national 12-hour snowfall record with 1.29 m (4 feet) in Hokkaido

Severe cold wave engulfed South Korea. On 4 February 2025, extreme cold weather conditions, caused by a high-pressure system from northern China, swept across South Korea. Consequently, the country experienced a significant drop in temperatures. The lowest temperatures in the morning fell between minus 18 degrees Celsius to minus 4 degrees Celsius while Seoul recorded a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius. In Jeju and the southern regions, heavy snow was forecast to fall in many places. Meanwhile, damages from burst water meters, and icy roads were reported in many areas.  Access to Hallasan Mountain, and mountain roads was also restricted.

Sources: Chosun Biz. (2025, Feb 4). Severe cold wave hits Korea, brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.

Rice Situation

 

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WEEKLY UPDATE ON  ASEAN PLUS THREE
RICE SITUATIONS 

No. 404 792726210d1e7546b7ced88db6894424 

29 January – 4 February 2025

  1. Indonesia
  2. Philippines
  3. Viet Nam

Refocusing on the budget helps boost rice production. The Ministry of Agriculture informed that the budget refocusing helped push up rice production by 1.49 million tonnes year on year from August to December 2024. Due to the 2024 climate change, the budget was refocused with the allocation of 1.7 trillion rupiah (around 104.6 million USD) to purchase superior seeds, pumps, and agricultural tools and machinery instead of the previously meant for official travels, seminars, building renovation, and meetings at hotels. The result is rice production increased the value equivalent to 17.89 trillion rupiah (around 109.76 billion USD).

*1 USD =  16,248.65 rupiah

Source: ANTARA News. (2025, Jan 30). Budget refocusing helped boost rice production: minister.

NFA Eastern Visayas sets goal to release 71,000 bags of cheaper rice. Due to the declaring of food security emergency for rice on February 3, 2025, the National Food Authority (NFA) regional office is preparing to release 71,000 bags of rice to interested local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas starting from February 15, 2025. Besides, the NFA will start selling its rice stocks in select Kadiwa ng Pangulo sites to LGUs, other government agencies, and government-owned, controlling corporations at 36 PHP (0.62 USD) per kilogramme. Then, the customers may access the NFA rice for not more than 38 PHP (0.65 USD) per kilogramme.

*1 USD = 58.10 PHP

Source: Philippine News Agency. (2025, Feb 4). NFA Eastern Visayas sets release of 71K bags of cheaper rice.

 

The Republic of Korea supports the Philippines' rice supply chain. Due to the seek of the public sector to boost rice supply and increase seed distribution, the Republic of Korea committed 4.5 million USD to strengthen the Philippines’ rice sector, including the construction of a new rice seed warehouse in Isabela. The facility includes cold storage, a generator set, and a forklift, which is a part of the broader “Improving the Rice Supply Chain to Ensure Quality of Seeds and Milled Rice for Distribution and Buffer Stocks in the Philippines” project, funded through Korea’s Official Development Assistance. This initiative would run until 2026, be useful in ensuring high-quality rice seeds, and be important in securing the country’s rice production in the uncertain climate, the branch director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Isabela said.

Source: Philippine Rice Research Institute. (2025, Jan 31). Korea backs PH’s rice supply chain.

Viet Nam’s rice exports have increased over 23 percent in the first 2 weeks of January. According to the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), from January 1 to 15, 2025, Viet Nam has increased rice exports 38.7 percent to 268,700 tonnes, and 23.28 percent higher in value to nearly 165.7 million USD, compared to 2024. Nonetheless, the VFA predicted a challenging year for rice exports as rice prices and demand in the domestic market are decreasing. There is also global competition, and India returns to the export market. The projected annual export volume for 2025 is 7.5 million tonnes, a decrease from the 2024 record by 9.04 million tonnes. Besides, the erratic weather affects the heightened risks of diseases in rice. Therefore, the agriculture sector advises farmers to monitor their fields and take preventive measures to minimise possible losses in the early part of the season.

Source: VietnamPlus. (2025, Jan 29). Vietnam's rice exports increase over 23%.

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