ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve 

Deepen APTERR-ROK cooperation for enhancing food security in the region

 The APTERR Secretariat welcomed the representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the Secretariat office on 9 December 2022 for discussing a further improvement of APTERR’s activities in strengthening food security in the region.

 

The representative from the ROK consisted of Mr. Woo Yong Bae, Senior Deputy Director, and Mr. Young Hyun Park, Assistance Director, from the Food Grain Policy Division of the MAFRA and Mrs. Seonsil Hwang, Deputy Director, and Mrs. Seo Yeon Kim, Assistance Manager, from the Grain Aid Department of aT.

As one of APTERR’s major donors, the ROK has already contributed 19,000 MT of rice since 2016 through the Tier 3 programme to assist people affected by various types of disasters in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, the Philippines and Viet Nam. The meeting thus discussed and exchanged views on challenges learned from the previous Tier 3 programmes and plans to improve the ongoing programme implementation to become more efficient and effective. In 2022, the ROK contributes 1,000 MT of rice to be prepositioned in Myanmar (600 MT) and the Philippines (400 MT). The rice will be ready to provide a rapid response in time of the emergency occurrence in both countries.

 

The meeting also talked about the preparation for the upcoming 11th Meeting of APTERR Council hosted by the ROK in 2023. The APTERR Council members meet regularly at least once a year to update and discuss APTERR’s activities. Next year, the APTERR Council Meeting will be held in the ROK under the co-chairmanship of Thailand and the ROK.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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 stock under Tier 3 in FY2025

**The pre-positioned stockpiled system under Tier 3 programme in FY 2025 to ensure a timely rice assistance to people affected by calamities

Current APTERR stock volume (MT)

Cambodia

275 MT

360 MT

Total :635 MT

Lao PDR

300 MT

302 MT

1,000 MT

Total :1,602 MT

Myanmar

375 MT

2,000 MT

Total :2,375 MT

Philippines

400 MT

Total :400 MT

Natural Disasters


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WEEKLY UPDATE ON NATURAL DISASTERS
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE

No. 470 792726210d1e7546b7ced88db6894424 

3 - 9 June 2026

  1. Indonesia
  2. Philippines
  3. Thailand
  4. Viet Nam
  5. Japan

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption, prompted lahar warning and flight disruption. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island, Indonesia erupted several times on 5 June 2026, sending volcanic ash up to 2.5 kilometres into the air. The eruption came after the volcano spewed a colossal 18-kilometre towel of ash last July. The volcanology agency warned residents living near rivers to be aware of lahars if heavy rain occurs. The eruption also disrupted air travel, with five domestic flights at Maumere irport, located about 60 kilometres west of the volcano, suspended due to volcanic activity.

Source: The Hindu. (2026, June 5). Indonesia volcano erupts, forcing airport to close.

Strong earthquake hit southern Philippines, triggering tsunamis and hundreds of aftershocks. On 8 June 2026, a 7.8 - magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao Island in southern Philippines, causing hundreds of aftershocks and tsunamis. The earthquake was the strongest to hit the country this year. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded a 1-metre tsunami in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces, and a 1.4-metre wave hit Kiamba town. Smaller tsunami waves were also detected in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan Officials confirmed 37 deaths and 487 injuries. Many buildings sustained severe damages and some collapsed. In response, the Philippine National Police deployed 2,000 police officers to the affected communities to assist local governments with emergency operations.

Source: AP. (2026, June 9). A 7.8 magnitude quake in the Philippines kills at least 35, collapses buildings and sparks tsunami., BBC. (2026, June 9). At least 35 dead after major earthquake strikes southern Philippines., BBC. (2026, June 9). Hundreds of aftershocks jolt Philippines as officials say death toll could rise., Philippine News Agency. (2026, June 9). PNP secures evacuation centers in quake-hit Mindanao.

Heavy rain battered Thailand’s capital and nearby provinces, with schools allowed to close. Heavy rain lashed Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and surrounding provinces on 9 June 2026, resulting in widespread flooding and severe traffic congestion in many areas. The Thai Meteorological Department reported that heavy rain clouds had formed over Bangkok and nearby provinces, including Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, and Samut Sakhon. In response to the situation, the Ministry of Education authorized school administrator to suspend classes if flooding threatened student safety.

Source: The Nation. (2026, June 7). Schools authorized to close immediately as Thailand steps up flood response., The Nation. (2026, June 9). Bangkok downpour floods Phahon Yothin near Kasetsart BTS, TMD warns of more rain.

Northern Viet Nam braced for heavy rain and floods following intense heatwave. Heavy rain is expected to strike the northern and north-central regions of Viet Nam from 8 to10 June 2026, in the wake of an intense heatwave with temperatures reaching 38-40 Celsius. Meteorologists warned of possible flashfloods, landslides, and urban flooding in several provinces with rainfall expected to exceed 300 mm. in some northern areas. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment issued an urgent directive to strengthen disaster preparedness measures.

Source: Voice of Vietnam. (2026, June 8). Northern Vietnam braces for widespread heavy rain after intense heatwave.

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupted, sparking larger eruption warning. On 7 June 2026, Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan erupted, sending an ash plume 1.3 kilometres high and creating grey rain to blanket the city. Authorities advised residents to wear masks to protect themselves from the ash. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the magma continued to rise beneath the volcano, causing slight swelling of the mountain. Officials warned that such swelling often precedes a larger eruption.

Source: The Standard (HK). (2026, June 8). Sakurajima volcano erupts, cover Kagoshima in ‘grey rain’.

Rice Situation


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WEEKLY UPDATE ON RICE SITUATIONS 
IN ASEAN PLUS THREE

No. 470 792726210d1e7546b7ced88db6894424 

3 - 9 June 2026

  1. Philippines
  2. Viet Nam
  3. Japan

San Miguel enforces a 50 PHP per kilogramme Price Cap for Imported Rice. The local government of San Miguel, the Philippines, has ordered all rice retailers, market vendors, and businesses to comply with the PHP50 (0.82 USD)-per-kilogram price ceiling on imported rice under Executive Order No. 118. According to the Mayor of San Miguel, the measure is intended to protect consumers from rising rice prices and ensure affordable access to the staple food. The nationwide price cap, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., will remain in effect for 30 days unless lifted earlier. The mayor also urged residents to report any violations to local authorities for enforcement action.

*1 USD = 61.32 PHP

Source:The Philippines News Agency. (2026, June 8). Surigao Sur LGU enforces P50 price cap on imported rice.

Vietnam Agriculture Generates 7.5 billion USD Trade Surplus as Rice Exports Rebound. Vietnam’s agricultural sector remained a key driver of trade in the first five months of 2026, generating a trade surplus of 7.5 billion USD despite the country recording an overall trade deficit of nearly 14 billion USD. However, the sector’s surplus fell 9.3 percent year-on-year due to weaker global demand, geopolitical tensions, and higher transport costs. Rice exports continued to show resilience, with the trade surplus rising 3.7 percent to 1.3 billion USD as imports declined. Export performance improved in May, reaching 1.1 million tonnes, while average export prices increased to 500–520 USD per tonne. Analysts expect the possible return of El Niño to support rice prices further by reducing regional crop output, potentially returning prices to levels seen during the 2023–2024 El Niño period, when Vietnam exported 9.1 million tonnes worth 5.6 billion USD.

Source: Bao VietNamNet. (2026, June 9). Agricultural product exports continue to generate strong trade surplus.

Japan expands heat-resistant rice planting to record high. Japan has expanded the cultivation of heat-resistant rice varieties to a record 18.2 percent of its staple rice acreage in 2025, nearly triple from the past 10 years, as farmers adapt to increasingly frequent hot summers. According to the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry (MAFF) of Japan, the planting area reached 248,000 hectares, up 42,000 hectares from the previous year, with particularly strong growth in western Japan. Heat-resistant rice is now grown in 44 prefectures, helping reduce quality and yield losses caused by heat stress. Saga Prefecture leads adoption, with such varieties accounting for 66.9 percent of rice acreage. Moreover, experts say the wider use of these varieties is essential to address rice shortages caused by heat damage. However, limited consumer awareness remains a challenge, prompting calls for stronger marketing and public education to encourage demand and support further production.

Source:The Straits Times (2026, June 9). Japan’s farmers plant more heat-resistant rice as rising temperature threatens harvest.

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