May 22, 2019
Philippines to import 300,000 tonnes of corn to cover shortage due to dry spell
The Philippines is seeking to import 300,000 tonnes of corn to cover a shortfall in the domestic supply caused by the El Nino dry spell and to prepare for the expected 'dramatic' growth of local swine and poultry sectors, a government official said on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.
Philippine Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines is seeking the approval of the Department of Finance to facilitate corn importation.
"The DA is also seeking the approval of the Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for the importation of 300,000 metric tonnes of corn at lower tariffs to fill up the shortfall caused by El Nino on the country feed crops," Pinol said.
Pinol did not specify the tariff target for the corn import.
Pinol added the DA will plant an additional 100,000 hectares of corn and another 100,000 hectares of sorghum this year to support the country's growing poultry and swine industries.
According to the Philippine state weather bureau, some provinces in the Philippines are experiencing "below norm to way below normal rainfall" due to El Nino.
Corn output in the first quarter in 2019 shrank 2% from a year earlier to 2.43 million tonnes.
