RICE

• The March 1, 2012 total rice stock inventory was estimated at 2.01 million metric tons (Figure 1). This was 13.7 percent lower than the previous month’s record of 2.33 million tons and 29.5 percent below last year’s level of 2.85 million metric tons (Table 1).
• Compared to previous month’s stock position, this month’s holdings dropped by 4.0 percent in the households and 30.3 percent in commercial warehouses. The volume of stocks in NFA depositories of which 47 percent were imported rice, was lower by 11.5 percent.
• Comparative estimates with stocks last year indicated reductions in all sectors. Stocks in the household sector dropped by 5.4 percent and in the commercial sector by 7.1 percent. Similarly, stocks in NFA depositories went down by 49.5 percent.
• As of March 1, 2012, the total volume of rice stocks would be enough for 59 days. Stocks in the households would be good for 24 days, those in NFA depositories would be good for 23 days. Stocks in commercial warehouses would last for 12 days.
• Of the current stock level, about 40 percent were with the households, 39 percent were with the NFA depositories and 21 percent were with the commercial warehouses.

Table 1. Percentage change in the inventory of rice stocks,
Philippines, February 2012 and March 2011 and 2012

CORN

• The total corn stock inventory as of March 1, 2012 was 146.4 thousand metric tons (Figure 2). The volume of stocks was 12.8 percent higher than last month’s level of 129.8 thousand metric tons, and 0.8 percent more than last year’s record of 145.3 thousand metric tons (Table 2).
• Relative to last month’s stock position, holdings grew by 27.5 percent in the households and by 1.0 percent in commercial warehouses. There were no stocks recorded in NFA depositories.
• Compared to last year’s levels, stocks were down by 4.4 percent in the households. In contrast, stocks in commercial warehouses grew by 7.1 percent.
• Of this month’s stock level, about 51.0 percent were with the households and 49.0 percent were with the commercial warehouses.

Table 2. Percentage change in the inventory of corn stocks,
Philippines, February 2012 and March 2011 and 2012