Manila sees third quarter rice output above goal

The Philippines' rice output in the third quarter likely exceeded the government's target but typhoons since late September may dampen harvests in the final three months of the year, the Agriculture Secretary said on Friday. Proceso Alcala said despite the typhoon damage, total rice production this year was likely to be near a government estimate of a record 17.3 million tonnes, with Manila still assessing whether to raise planned imports of 500,000 tonnes next year.
The government would be keen to keep imports as low as possible as Asian rice prices have risen markedly since the middle of the year, and crop damage in Thailand from massive flooding could squeeze supplies and push prices higher. Alcala said improved output in other crops, such as corn, and livestock may lift overall farm production this year to hit a growth estimate of 4-5 percent this year despite the damage from two major typhoons in late September and early October.
Before the typhoons inundated huge swathes of rice fields in major rice-producing provinces, the government was expecting a record rice output, possibly topping the 2011 forecast. The state-run National Food Authority council would meet by the end of November to decide on 2012 rice imports. Alcala has also ordered a review of the typhoon damage on rice crops.