RICE STOCK

• The country’s total rice stock inventory as of March 1, 2004 was 1.96 million metric tons, down by 7.4 and 5.2 percent from its month and year ago levels, respectively. The  current stock is enough for a two and half month supply.
• Likewise, the households and commercial sectors holdings dropped from their month ago levels by 15.0 percent and 9.0 percent, respectively. On the other hand, NFA stock of which 63 percent are imported rice inched up by 1.5 percent.
• Compared to last year’s levels, the NFA and commercial sectors’ holdings dropped by 18.0 and 11.3 percent, respectively. In contrast, household stocks went up by 8.9 percent, awaiting perhaps for higher prices following the current price trend.
• As of the reporting period NFA rice stocks was good for 23 days supply, while the households and commercial warehouses had 35 and 16 days supply, respectively.

CORN STOCK

• The March 1, 2004 total corn stock inventory of 239 thousand metric tons was 16.1 and 8.4 percent higher than last month and same period last year, respectively.
• While households corn stocks increased by 35.5 and 42.4 percent compared to their month and year ago levels, those in commercial warehouses dropped by 12.1 and 29.4 percent, respectively. Prices of corn were significantly above their 2002 and 2003 quotations for the quarter. This could have encouraged households to hold on to their stocks.
• The households have around 69 percent of the current corn stock. NFA reported no corn stock for the period.