January 18, 2007

 

Philippine corn output forecast up 7.9 percent in H1 2007

 

 

The Philippines' corn output in the first half of the year is projected to rise by 7.9 percent from the first half of 2006 to 2.81 million tonnes, despite possible ill-effects of an expected El Nino-induced drought, the Department of Agriculture said Wednesday (Jan 17).

 

The projected increase is based on intensified planting during the first three months of the year, the department's Bureau of Agriculture Statistics said.

 

A production survey report by the BAS said output gains in the January to March period would help offset expected El Nino-induced losses in the second quarter.

 

El Nino refers to warmer oceanic conditions, which reduce rainfall in affected areas. The effect of El Nino on the Philippines is expected to intensify around the second quarter of the year.

 

Earlier this year, the department set a corn production target of 6.31 million tonnes for 2007, up 3 percent from last year's output.

 

The projected increase is based on an increase in the usage of high-yielding hybrid seeds and the establishment of post harvest facilities, said Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo, who is also the programme director for corn.

 

For the first quarter of the year, the department has set a corn output target of 1.73 million tonnes, 13 percent higher from output posted in the first three months of last year, Araullo said.

 

Corn output last year totalled 6.08 million tonnes, 15.8 percent higher than the 2005 level due to favourable weather conditions in the early months of last year and the use of hybrid seeds.

 

The Philippines imported around 260,000 tonnes of corn in 2006. Corn is a main ingredient used in the manufacturing of animal feeds.