Palay, corn outputs drop in Q2

MANILA, Philippines — Palay (unhusked rice) and corn are still expected to register minimal production growth in the first half despite the projected decrease in the second quarter due to contraction in harvest areas in some major producing regions.

Based on the latest crops outlook of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released over the weekend, palay production for the first semester may rise to 8.7 million metric tons, 1.5 percent higher than the 8.57 million MT output in 2017.

However, the expansion in palay production for the period was tempered by the projected drop in the second quarter.

The PSA said palay production from April to June may reach 4.08 million MT, down 1.8 percent from the 4.15 million MT output in the same period last year.

Harvest area may shrink 1.5 percent to 932,000 hectares and yield may contract to 4.37 MT per hectare from the previous year’s level of 4.38 MT.

This is compared to the 4.62 million MT palay output in the first quarter, which is a 4.61 percent increase from 4.42 million MT last year.

This was attributed to the growth in harvest area, which stretched to 1.19 million hectares and yield increased to 3.87 MT.

Most region posted increments especially in the areas of Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Calabarzon and Davao.

The PSA outlook also showed corn production may increase to 3.75 million MT in the first half, up 1.4 percent from the 3.7 million MT output last year.

However, the report also said corn production for the April to June period is expected to post a 4.4 percent drop to 1.27 million MT from 1.33 million MT in 2017 as harvest area will also decrease.

Probable decline is attributed to insufficient soil moisture during vegetative and reproductive stages of crop and the effect on the intense hot weather. Decrements are expected specifically in Kalinga and South Cotabato.

The second quarter projection will reduce the overall corn output for the period.

Corn output in January to March was five percent higher at 2.48 million MT as substantial increments were noted in major corn-producing areas.

For the third quarter, the PSA said about 487,000 hectares or 56 percent of the palay planting intentions have been planted.

For corn, about 530,000 hectares or 62 percent of the planting intentions of the farmers for July to September 2018 have been realized.