The Philippines is looking at exporting some 200,000 to 400,000 metric tons of
corn amid high grain prices in the world market and projected surplus by next year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said over the weekend.
Edilberto de Luna, DA assistant secretary and National Corn Program director, said there is a possibility that local corn growers will be allowed to commercially export yellow corn starting in the fourth quarter of 2012.
“We have already conducted a study on the competitiveness of local corn. The results were encouraging,†de Luna said, noting the Philippines can compete with its ASEAN neighbors in terms of
cost and quality of corn.
The Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (PhilMaize) earlier said that it is negotiating with Malaysia, Taiwan and Korea for the commercial export of yellow corn, saying that they have already sent a group to the Southeast Asian countries to discuss the shipment.
Roger Navarro, PhilMaize president, said they expect no shortage of supply as a result of the corn exportation, noting that 1.4 million MT of feedwheat, which was imported earlier by feed millers, will cover the requirement for this year.
De Luna said that corn exports may start before the end of 2012, citing strong production in sector.
He also said that the Philippine Coconut Authority has allowed the
intercropping of corn in some 150,000 hectares of coconut plantations to further boost corn production.
The Philippines expects corn production to reach a record-high of 7.819 million MT in 2012, and about 8.450 million MT by 2013.
The DA official earlier said that farmers and traders may start
exporting corn and corn grits as they wait for the approval from the NFA Council of the total volume to be ship to the world market.
Under an existing resolution, the NFA administrator is authorized to issue transport permits for locally produced corn for the purpose of research, market testing and experimentation.
“Based on the resolution, individual farmers, traders, and cooperatives are allowed to export as much as 100 MT of
corn at any given time,†de Luna said.
source: PNA.gov.ph
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