Palay and corn production for January to March 2013 surpassed their 2012 levels by 4.5% and 11.4%, respectively. On the other hand, the April to June 2013 palay and corn outputs indicate lower levels compared to their respective records in 2012. The movement of cropping to the first quarter, inadequate water supply, intense heat and shifting to other crops may bring about reductions in harvest area and yield in the second quarter of 2013. These may result in lower outputs of both crops in the first half of 2013.
Based on farmers’ planting intentions, the July to September 2013 palay and corn harvests may increase compared to their 2012 levels
The January-June 2013 palay production may reach 7.879 million MT. This is 0.2% or 12.7 thousand MT lower than the 2012 output of 7.892 million MT. Harvest area may expand to 2.047 million hectares from last year’s record of 2.036 million hectares. However, yield may decrease by 0.7% from 3.88 MT per hectare in 2012 to 3.85 MT per hectare this year.
Production of corn for January-June 2013 may reach 3.329 million MT. This is 4.0% or 140 thousand MT lower than the 3.469 million MT output in 2012. Harvest area may contract by 2.9% from 1.112 million hectares to 1.079 million hectares. Yield per hectare may also decrease by 1.1%, from 3.12 MT to 3.09 MT.