Palay output up in Q3

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s production of palay (unhusked rice) grew 13.4 percent in the third quarter owing to improvement in harvest areas nationwide.

Based on the seasonally adjusted rice production and prices for July to September of the Philippine Statistics Authority, palay output increased to 4.96 million metric tons (MT) from 4.2 million MT the same period a year ago.

“The boost in production was attributed mainly to the increase of the harvest area brought by sufficient water supply and government interventions on the provision of high yielding variety seeds and fertilizer support during the cropping period,” PSA said.

The improved palay output largely came from Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen.

“More planting was traced to the availability of hybrid and certified seeds from the Department of Agriculture and local government units and adequate water supply during the planting months,” PSA said.

The seasonally adjusted farmgate price for palay and wholesale price for rice rose 0.05 percent and 0.08 percent, respectively.

Retail price for rice, however, declined 0.48 percent from the second quarter.

The farmgate prices of paddy rice increased seven percent in the first week of November.

In its regular update on palay, rice and corn prices, PSA said the average price of palay went up to P18.40 per kilogram from P17.18 per kg last year. On a weekly basis, however, it decreased by a minimal one percent.

The average wholesale price of well-milled rice rose three per percent to P39.05 per kg year-on-year but week-on-week prices barely improved 0.2 percent.

On the other hand, the average retail price of well-milled rice went up to P42.17 per kg, up two percent year-on-year.

The wholesale price of regular-milled rice was P35.60 per kg, four percent higher than the previous year.  Its average retail price increased 2.3 percent to P38.02 per kg.