DA expects 10% boost in corn output for Q1

Corn production in the first quarter of the year is expected to amount to a 10-percent improvement over the 2.02 million metric tons from the same period in 2012, thanks to good production and good weather, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said Monday. Alcala noted that farmers who plant yellow corn, which is used as an animal feed additive, are enjoying robust local demand, as their output has a farmgate price of P12 to P14 per kilogram (kg) as opposed to P18 per kg for imported corn. This year, the Philippines will export 15,000 MT of corn feed and grains worth P75 million to South Korea, beginning with the shipment sent last month of 24 MT of corn silage. Alcala said that the corn silage export will increase farmers’ incomes by 20 percent on average. The Agriculture chief also noted that the local demand for corn is also growing because of the growth of the livestock sector. In 2012, poultry output grew by 4.5 percent, with a gross value of P167.1 billion. Livestock production increased by 1.1 percent, with a gross value of P214. 3 billion, of which hog production was valued at P174.5 billion. Corn production in 2012 reached 7.41 million MT, up 6.25 percent from 6.97 million MT in 2011. The Philippines expects to produce 8.4 million MT this year, for a sufficiency level of 101 percent with a 140,000-MT surplus. — BM, GMA News