Rice and corn production in the third quarter would likely be higher than in the same period last year, based on crop standing as of Aug. 1, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Palay production was estimated to go up by 2.2 percent in the third quarter to 3.83 million metric tons from 3.75 million MT a year ago. The updated palay production estimate was, however, lower by 0.4 percent than the 3.85 million MT estimate as of July 1.
The estimated harvest area may have expanded by 1.7 percent to 928,2000 hectares from 912,660 hectares in the same period of 2021, while yield per hectare was seen increasing 0.5 percent to 4.13 MT from 4.11 MT a year ago, it said.
Corn production also likely increased 3.3 percent in the third quarter to 2.37 million MT from the actual estimate of 2.29 million MT in the same period last year. The updated corn production estimate was also higher by 1.2 percent than 2.34 million MT as predicted in July.