Feed millers, poulty integrators likely to import 25% more corn in Q1 2012

Feed millers and poultry integrators will have to import at least 25 percent of their needs next year because the duty free importation of up to 100,000 metric tons (MT) of corn they had sought would not come in time had it even gone through the approval process.   “By the time the Tariff Commission grants their request, local harvest should have started by then,” Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala said.   Feed wheat imports reached 1.07 million MT in 2011 and 962,446 MT in 2010.   As of September 1, the country had 2.79 million MT in corn stocks and about 63 percent are with households while commercial warehouses hold the remaining 37 percent.   According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said July-December corn production would be lower by about 4.2 percent at 3.795 million MT compared to last year’s 3.961 million MT.   The country’s annual yellow corn requirement is 7.5 to 8 million MT. — ELR, GMA News