THE country’s corn output slid by double digits in the third quarter due to a contraction in harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Data from the PSA showed that corn production in the July to September period fell by 17 percent to 2 million metric tons (MMT), from the 2.43 MMT recorded last year.
Yellow corn, a key ingredient for animal feeds, plunged by almost 20 percent to 1.38 MMT in the reference period, from the previous year’s 1.72 MMT.
White corn also slipped by 12 percent to 620,581 metric tons (MT), from 707,471 MT, based on PSA data.
The harvest area contracted by 12 percent to 691,825 hectares from 789,243 hectares, with the yield per hectare dropping to 2.9 MT in the reference period from 3.07 MT.
Northern Mindanao posted the highest production in the third quarter at 496,830 MT. This was followed by BARMM at 415,361 MT and Soccsksargen at 340,408 MT.
MAV plus
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) 129, which expanded the minimum access volume (MAV) for corn to 500,000 MT due to a projected supply shortfall that could potentially jack up food costs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said maintaining an ample supply of affordable corn would help sustain livestock and poultry production, since feed accounts for a significant share of operating expenses for hog raisers and poultry producers.
‘Ensuring a sufficient supply of low-priced corn is essential to supporting animal feed production, keeping production costs of meat affordable and protecting the country’s food security,’ he said.
‘We need to make sure our livestock and poultry industries have access to the feed ingredients they need without placing additional pressure on consumers.’
The DA said the additional imports would be allowed during the lean season, serving as a supplement to domestic production rather than displacing locally harvested corn.
The agency noted a projected yellow corn deficit of about 1.42 MMT from March through December 2026.
‘Corn is a principal energy source in livestock and poultry feeds. Any sustained increase in its price can raise procurement costs for feed millers, increase expenses for livestock raisers, and eventually translate into higher prices for meat products.’