April 30, 2007

 

Philippine corn output to hit 7.5 million metric tonnes in 2008 - officials

 

 

Corn production in the Philippines is expected to rise 8.4 percent to 7.5 million metric tonnes (MT) from this year's original target of 6.9 million MT, attesting claims that the country may reach self-sufficiency in the grain by 2008.

 

The increase was based on a corn outlook released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on farmers' expected post of higher yields with the strong acceptance and use of hybrid seeds.

 

The government has committed to spend more on post-harvest facilities to reduce wastage by at least 5 percent. Production wastage is currently about 25 percent of total production.

 

The government has released about P581.5 million (US$12.25 million) for the corn production program this year.

 

Corn production is projected to reach 6.63 million MT in the first half, up 1.4 from 6.54 million MT year-on-year. Off season or dry season cropping is expected to produce 800,000 MT.

 

Corn output this year expected to hit 6.92 million MT, up 13.73 percent from 6.08 million MT last year.

 

A production shortage of around 500,000 MT has prompted the agriculture department to approve imports of 400,000 MT in two separate batches of 200,000 MT each.

 

Despite the importation, the private sector estimated a higher shortfall of around 1 million MT. The Corn Board had only approved 400,000 MT out of the importers' request of 700,000 MT this year.

 

The first batch of corn imports has been tendered earlier this month, of which 120,000 MT were subscribed by traders. The balance will be tendered next month.

 

Dennis Araullo of the DA's corn program said the government was inclined to use the bumper crops of 200,000 MT if local stock was not enough.