Philippines self-sufficient on corn

This is due to hybrid corn expansion and government’s investment on post
harvest facilities. According to Ric Pinca, Philippine Association of Feed
Millers (PAFMI) executive director, the current Philippines’ corn sufficiency
status means that the country might stop importing maize next year.

Record in self-sufficiency
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jesus Emmanuel
M. Paras said last Monday that corn production is foreseen to hit 6.1 million MT
by the end of this year, equalling or surpassing a little the consumption level.

The high output is possible, he said, given the
4.83 million MT production from January to September this year, up by 15.71%
from the same period last year. Besides, the second half of the year normally
represents a higher production of some 60% of the country’s total corn
production. If the Philippines will not import corn next year, it will be the
first time as of record that the country will be self-sufficient.