MANILA - More than half of the 1.3 million tonnes of rice import orders by the Philippines' traders for 2020 are yet to be delivered, the country's farm minister said on Wednesday, even as he sought to allay concerns over supply of the staple food.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said around 700,000 tonnes of rice cargoes purchased by private players have not been delivered yet, although he made fresh assurance that supply in the world's biggest buyer of the grain remains adequate.

The Philippine authorities have repeatedly sought to ease Filipinos' concerns about a tightening of domestic rice supply at a time when many parts of the country have been locked down to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The pandemic has sparked global food security concerns, with some rice producers in Asia imposing rice export bans and others going into lockdown to battle the outbreak.

Dar said a plan by the government to import 300,000 tonnes of rice is a "contingency measure" that will help keep domestic supply sufficient and prices in check while the coronavirus-containment measures are in place.

The Philippines became the world's biggest rice importer in 2019 after it scrapped purchase caps, buying a record 2.9 million tonnes. Vietnam and Thailand are its main suppliers.

Dar said the Philippines is counting on its Southeast Asian neighbours, including Myanmar, for help to boost its rice stocks, as he encouraged local traders to bring in more grains.

Vietnam, the world's third-largest rice exporter, has temporarily suspended new rice export contracts while undertaking a review of its stockpile to ensure it has enough domestic supplies to cope with the coronavirus outbreak. 

Thailand, the world's second-largest rice exporter after India, however, remains open for new deals and is bracing for increased sales while its competitors are enforcing a ban or limit on sales. 

Last week, Dar said the country has enough rice for the next four months, taking into account current state stockpile, the incoming local dry-season harvest, and continued imports.

(Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi) ((enrico.delacruz@tr.com; +632 841-8934;))