August 6, 2007

Philippine January-June corn output up 5.5 percent to 2.74 million tonnes
 

Philippine corn output in the first half grew 5.5 percent on-year to 2.74 million tonnes despite a prevailing drought, the agriculture department said Monday (Aug 6).

The output is lower than the department's earlier forecast of 2.9 million tonnes, said Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo, the department's programme director for corn.

Despite the drought, production in the third quarter is projected to increase 17 percent to 2.61 million tonnes from 2.22 million tonnes in the same period last year, Araullo said.

"We're still optimistic the drought won't severely affect our corn crops," he said.

The department also said corn production would increase in the fourth quarter, with a projected 12 percent rise at 1.40 million tonnes.

This would bring a full-year production to 6.7 million tonnes for 2007, Araullo said.

"A worst case scenario would mean production may drop by 190,000 tonnes from 6.7 million tonnes. But we're eyeing alternative corn areas in Visayas and Mindanao to offset losses in drought-affected areas," he added.

The drought has affected mostly corn areas on the main island of Luzon.