Palay output jumps in Q3

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s production of palay (unhusked rice) jumped in the third quarter because of more planted areas and better yield.

Based on the latest crop estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), palay production likely surged 16 percent to 3.54 million metric tons (MT) from July to September.

Output reached 3.05 million MT during the period.

Harvest area went up by 15.7 percent to 743,000 hectares. Yield per hectare, on the other hand, inched up to 4.12 MT.

About 36 percent of the updated standing crops have already been harvested.

As for the farmers’ planting intentions for the period, about 1.48 million hectares or 81 percent of the perceived area have been actually planted.

For the fourth quarter, about 30 percent of the standing crop was at vegetative stage, 46 percent at reproductive stage and 24 percent at maturing stage.

Meanwhile, corn production also rose by 3.7 percent to 2.83 million MT. This is slightly higher than the earlier forecast of 2.82 million MT.

Harvest area likely increased by five percent to 919,510 hectares. Yield per hectare, however, may decrease to 3.07 MT from 3.11 MT.

Around 523,210 hectares or 57 percent of the updated standing crop have been harvested.