MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Philippine rice production is seeing positive bounce back due to a rice farmer support program, according to a Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Rice production in the 2021-22 marketing year is projected to reach 19.68 million tonnes, a 1.6% increase compared to the previous year. The USDA’s rice import estimate in the 2021-22 marketing year remains flat at 2.2 million tonnes as increased domestic production from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and other support programs reduce the need for imports. RCEF was introduced two years ago and supports Philippine rice farmers to increase yields and compete with cheaper imports.

The Philippines corn production forecast in the 2021-22 marketing year is set to decline 2.4% to eight million tonnes based on weakened feed demand from the hog and poultry sectors. The USDA expects the diminished demand to also lower the country’s corn imports by 250,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes in the 2021-22 marketing year.

Similar to corn, the Philippines wheat imports in the 2021-22 marketing year will decline to 6.6 million tonnes, based on reduced feed wheat demand and sufficient supply. There is no commercial production of wheat, barley or oats in the Philippines.