CLARK, Philippines (Dow Jones)--The Philippines, Asia's largest rice importer, expects to secure a rice supply deal with Thailand within the month, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said Friday.

  "We might have a deal in two weeks' time," Yap told Dow Jones Newswires. However, he declined to divulge details of the possible agreement such as the import volume and price.

  Just last month, the Philippines secured a commitment from Vietnam for the supply of up to 1.5 million metric tons of rice. It also has an existing loan commitment from the U.S. for the purchase of 100,000 tons of the grain.

 So far this year, the Philippines has imported 1.1 million tons to fill a shortfall in local production. It is importing more to build a uffer to cover lean domestic supply during the months of July, August and September. 
 
   (END) Dow Jones Newswires