March 30, 2009

Philippine province to produce corn for export

At least 20,000 hectares in the province of Isabela in the Philippines have been targeted to produce yellow corn exclusively for export.

The Philippine Maize Federation (PhilMaize) has been pushing its bid to export yellow corn, a key feed ingredient, to neighbouring countries for the first time, said Roger Navarro, president of the group.

Navarro said they will export to either Taiwan or South Korea because of the lower freight costs.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo said as much as 50,000 hectares of new corn plantations can be developed in Isabela alone.

The group will soon survey vacant lands in Isabela that are near Port Irene, where South Koreans will build post harvest facilities and a grain terminal which will be vital in producing quality corn, Navarro said.

Data from the Agriculture Department said there are 1.3 million hectares available for the expansion beyond the 2.6 million hectares of corn acreage nationwide.

Araullo said it is all right for the private sector to export corn as long as it does not affect the domestic supply of animal feed.

Navarro agreed, saying that exports are not possible until there is a surplus in supply in the domestic market.

Full-year corn output in 2008 reached 6.92 million tonnes, down 4 percent from the target of 7.2 million tonnes, due to the high fertiliser costs and tropical storms in th first half of the year, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.