September 24, 2012

Philippines may export corn by yearend

The Philippines is seen to sell at least 200,000 tonnes of corn next year abroad to take advantage of high world prices amid a projected surplus, an Agriculture official said during the weekend.

Edilberto M. De Luna, Agriculture assistant secretary and National Corn Program coordinator, said in a phone interview that exports could actually start before the yearend given a pending Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (PhilMaize) request.

PhilMaize is targeting to start exports to Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia before the year ends," said De Luna, declining to provide details on planned volumes.

Next year, De Luna said they are looking on a 200,000 to 400,000-tonne corn exports they a surplus is already expected.

An interagency committee, comprised of National Corn Program representatives, the Bureau of Animal Industry and stakeholders including livestock farmers, has been tasked by the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to work on PhilMaize's proposal.

The NFA, under its mandate, must first certify that there is a surplus of corn before producers can be allowed to export as the crop is a major staple. Currently, the Philippines still has a deficit of 179,000 tonnes.

De Luna said production has been strong so far as the Philippine Coconut Authority has also allowed the intercropping of corn in some 150,000 hectares of coconut plantations, which would boost this year's production further.

The department is targeting to produce a record 7.819 million tonnes this year. In 2011, output was 6.971 million tonnes, 9.31% higher than 2010's 6.377 million tonnes.

The Agriculture department expects to achieve self-sufficiency in corn by end-2013 with output of 8.45 million MT.

According to De Luna, the target next year is to lower postharvest losses in the crop to 10% from the current 12-15%, which would translate to an additional yield of 300,000-400,000 MT, wiping out the deficit.