December 29, 2006

 

Philippine poultry raisers call for cheap corn imports

 

 

Philippine poultry raisers have asked the Department of Agriculture to allow the entry of at least 100,000 tonnes of corn at zero tariff duty given high prices of locally produced corn, an official in the poultry industry said Thursday (Dec 28).

 

Locally produced corn currently hovers at around 12.50 peso (US$0.25) a kilogramme, up from 10.80 peso/kg a month ago, the official said.

 

"The high price of local corn indicates a shortage of supply," the official said.

 

With rice imports down in the Philippines this year, corn has been used more as a food staple.

 

The official said that a fresh supply of imported corn should temper high local prices.

 

Philippine corn imports are assessed a 35 percent to 50 percent tariff duty depending on how much has already been imported.

 

Corn imports have jumped to 258,000 tonnes from only 55,000 tonnes last year.

 

According to the agriculture department, corn output this year could reach 5.8 to 6 million tonnes, up 11 percent from last year's production.

 

As well as being a food staple, corn is also a major component of animal feed.