Philippines, one of the world’s top rice buyers, plans to import 250,000 tons of rice as soon as possible to boost thinning stockpiles. The Philippines typically buys rice from major exporters Vietnam and Thailand. Prospects of deals with the Philippines have already boosted rice export prices in Vietnam in recent days. The planned imports would help increase rice inventory at the country’s National Food Authority (NFA) which only stood at nearly 157,000 tons last month – good for five days of domestic consumption. The NFA’s rice stocks, mostly used to stabilize prices and ensure swift supply to calamity-stricken areas, are on top of inventory held by private traders and households. The Philippines’ total rice inventory stood at 2.85 million tons in December, enough for 84 days of consumption.