HIGHLIGHTS

As of 01 June 2018, the updated April-June 2018 palay production based on standing crop may rise from the April 2018 Round estimates. Contrariwise, corn production may slightly drop than the April 2018 Round estimates.

PALAY

• Based on standing crop, the updated palay production for April-June 2018 as of  01  June  2018  may  rise  by 0.6 percent from 4.05 million mt estimate in April 2018 round. On the other hand, this could be a drop by 1.8 percent from the  2017 level of 4.15 million mt (Figure 1). Similarly, harvest   area   may   contract   to 932.64 thousand hectares from the last year’s level of 947.19 thousand hectares. Yield may probably decline by 0.2 percent from 4.38 mt per hectare in 2017.

• Additions in palay production are foreseen in Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Quezon, Mindoro Oriental and Surigao Sur resulting from control of pests and diseases and sufficient water supply during the cropping period.
• About 824.66 thousand hectares or 88.4 percent of the standing crop has been harvested.
• Of the updated 595.24 thousand hectares standing palay crop, 58.7 percent were at vegetative stage, 20.0 percent at reproductive stage, and 21.3 percent at maturing stage (Figure 2).
• About  487.27  thousand  hectares  or 56.1 percent of the planting intentions for July-September 2018 have been planted.

CORN

• Corn  production  for  April-June 2018 may reach 1.27 million mt. This may drop by 0.7 percent from the estimates in April 2018 Rd of 1.28 million mt and 4.4 percent lesser than last year’s level of 1.33 million mt (Figure 3). Harvest area may stretch to 391.29  thousand   hectares  from 391.26 thousand hectares in 2017. Yield may decrease to 3.25 mt per hectare from 3.27 mt per hectare.

• Probable decrements in corn output are largely noted in Kalinga and South Cotabato. Insufficient soil moisture during vegetative and reproductive stages of crop in Kalinga may pull down  the  production.In South Cotabato, yield may decrease due to the effects of intense hot weather.
• About 319.0 thousand hectares or 81.5 percent of the standing crop have been harvested.
• Of the updated 602.74 thousand hectares standing corn crop, about 62.6 percent were at vegetative stage, 26.9 percent at reproductive stage and 10.5 percent at maturing stage (Figure 4).
• About 530.49 thousand hectares or 62.3 percent of the planting intentions of the farmers for the July-September 2018 have been realized.

VIVIAN R. ILARINA
Assistant National Statistician
Macroeconomic Accounts Service
Officer-in-Charge