November 15, 2005

 

Philippine January-September corn output down 2.3 percent

 

 

Philippine corn output in the year to September fell 2.3 percent to 4.176 million tonnes, due to unfavourable weather in the country's major corn producing areas, the Department of Agriculture said Monday.

 

A production report released by the Bureau of Agriculture Statistics (BAS), showed that output in the third quarter rose 13.6 percent to 2.203 million tonnes.

 

However, the increase in output in the third quarter was not enough to offset the decline in output in the first six months of the year, agriculture department assistant secretary and BAS director Romeo Recide said.

 

In the first half the year, output declined as there were dry spells in most parts of the country, he said.

 

In the third quarter, output rose as the main crop was harvested, and improved weather as well as fewer pest attacks increased plantings.

 

However, corn production in the fourth quarter will decline by an expected 3.6 percent on year to 1.09 million tonnes, Recide said, as some farmers have shifted to rice cultivation since weather conditions during this period are generally more favourable for rice than corn.

 

Full year corn output in 2005 is expected to fall 2.6 percent on year to 5.2 million tonnes, Recide said.

 

However, corn output in Q1 2006 is likely to recover significantly, as plantings are expected to intensify in Cagayan Valley and Mindanao, the two major corn-growing areas in the country.

 

Output in the first quarter of next year is expected to rise 26 percent on year to 1.58 million tonnes, Recide said.

 

The department had originally set the corn output target for 2005 at 5.80 million tonnes. However mid-year, it cut the forecast to 5.48 million tonnes due to unfavourable weather conditions, and the forecast was further reduced to 5.27 million tonnes earlier this month.