January 9, 2008

 

Philippine '07 feed wheat imports plummet by 58 percent at 399,000 tonnes

 

 

Philippine imports of feed wheat in 2007 fell 58 percent to 399,000  tonnes due to the high cost of the grain in the world market, an industry official said on Wednesday (January 9, 2008).

 

Total imports of feed wheat in 2006 reached 960,000 tonnes, said the official with an industry association.

 

For 2008, local feedmillers aren't likely to be able to import any feed wheat, the official said.

 

"I don't believe there will be feed wheat imports for the Philippines. Most of the available materials (wheat) will be used by producing countries," the official added, referring to the US and China.

 

Despite the lower imports last year, the local feedmilling industry grew by 6 percent, posting total output of 8.5 million tonnes due to an increase in corn production, the official said.

 

"Obviously, local corn production met a substantial portion of the domestic feed requirement," he said.

 

Local production of corn last year may have reached 6.9 million tonnes, up 13 percent from the previous year.

 

Philippine corn imports in 2007 totaled only 131,000 tonnes, down around 50 percent from the previous year's 260,000 tonnes.

 

Wheat and corn are major components for livestock and poultry feeds.