Rice output expected to hit 3 M tons in Q3

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Philippine rice output in the third quarter would reach 3.01 million metric tons (MMT) due to higher yield, the statistics agency said today.

In its latest report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it has revised upward the projected unmilled rice output to 3. 01 MMT for the July to September period.

"The expected increase in palay output could be attributed to improvement in yield due to sufficient water supply, lesser incidences of pests and diseases and more fertilizer usage," the PSA said.

While the latest forecast is 0.5 percent higher than its previous projection of 2.99 MMT, the agency said rice harvest in the third quarter is 10.5 percent below last year's output of 3.36 MMT.

It said earlier that the country's unmilled rice production for 2014 could reach 18.69 MMT, lower than the 19.07 MMT target set by the Philippine Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the PSA revised downward the projected corn output for the third quarter to 2.38 MMT. This is 0.6 percent lower than the earlier forecast of 2.4 MMT and 8.3 percent lower than last year's level of 2.6 MMT.

"The probable decrease in corn output may be due to the adverse effects of typhoon Rammasun (locally known as Glenda) on the standing crop, hot weather condition, and incidences of rat and bird infestation," it said.