August 11, 2011

Philippine corn yield hits highest level

The corn output of the Philippines rocketed to record-high levels in the first half of 2011 due to favourable weather conditions, agriculture officials said Wednesday (Aug 10).

The beneficial effect of the La Nina weather phenomenon boosted corn production for the first semester by 37% on-year to 3.3 million tonnes.

"Record first semester rice and corn harvests were mainly due to good weather, the expansion of harvested area and an increase in the average yield per hectare," Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said in a briefing.

The highest first half output of corn were recorded in 2008 at 3.3 million tonnes and in 2009 at 3.21 million tonnes.