PRODUCTION of palay, or unmilled rice, in the first quarter of 2020 is now estimated at 4 million metric tons (MT), 6.7% lower than the previous projection, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

In its updated Palay and Corn Estimates, PSA said that the new projection for palay in the just-concluded quarter compares with the initial estimate of 4.28 million MT issued on Jan. 1.

The new projection, if realized, would represent a 9.5% year-on-year decline from the actual output of 4.42 million MT in the first quarter of 2019.

The PSA said the area planted to rice may have contracted 3.7% year-on-year during the quarter, from 1,153.19 thousand hectares in the first quarter of 2019. The yield per hectare is expected to decline year-on-year to 3.60 MT from 3.83 MT.

Meanwhile, corn production for the quarter was estimated at 2.39 million MT, 1.5% lower than the previous estimate of 2.43 million MT issued on Jan. 1.

The estimate, if realized, would point to a 1.3% year-on-year decline from the actual output of 2.43 million MT in the first quarter of 2019.

“Harvest area may reduce to 700.20 thousand hectares from 706.26 thousand hectares in 2019. Yield per hectare may slightly decrease to 3.42 MT from 3.43 MT,” the PSA said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

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