Higher Q2 palay output backstops stocks ahead of El Niño, says DA
The Philippine Department of Agriculture reports a record-high second-quarter rice production, which is expected to help stabilize food supplies ahead of the El Niño drought. Despite this growth, officials remain cautious about potential future declines in output due to climate-related challenges.
Why it matters
Food security is a critical concern for the Philippines, and managing rice inventories is essential to mitigating the economic and social impacts of climate-driven agricultural disruptions.
MANILA, Philippines - The country's higher palay (unhusked rice) production in the second quarter could provide additional rice stocks in preparation for the impact of El Ni o on local farm production, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA has conducted early preparation to safeguard food supplies and farmer incomes in response to the upcoming drought.
Tiu Laurel added the four-month suspension on rice imports, which ran from September to December last year, supported the improvement in market conditions and gave farmers a better opportunity to receive higher earnings.
The country's palay production rose by 5.7 percent to 4.63 million metric tons (MT) in the April to June period, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This was the highest second quarter output since 1987, when the PSA started recording the production data.
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