Department of Agriculture eyes corn exports

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering the commercial exportation of corn as early as this year to take advantage of high corn prices caused by the drought in the United States, the leading corn producer worldwide.

Agriculture assistant secretary and national corn program director Edilberto de Luna said an interagency committee composed of industry stakeholders and concerned agriculture bureaus is preparing a recommendation to the National Food Authority (NFA) council. The applicable export volume for possible exportation would still be determined.

 “If we can export even a small volume, it will be good for the industry,” he said.

For 2012, the government expects to attain a corn sufficiency level of 98 percent with a deficit of 179,000 metric tons (MT) .

For 2013, the government intends to raise corn yield to 8.4 MMT. By next year, the government aims to attain a sufficiency level of 101 percent with a surplus of 149,000 MT. 

De Luna said they were advised by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala not to wait anymore for a surplus in production.

 “We might as well allow exportation of a small volume this year to test the market,” he said.