‘Higher corn MAV to lower feed costs’

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s move to raise the minimum access volume (MAV) for corn is expected to lower costs for animal feeds, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday said there is a need to maintain an adequate supply of corn to sustain the needs of the livestock and poultry sector.

“We need to make sure our livestock and poultry industries have access to the feed ingredients they need without placing additional pressure on consumers,” he added.

Executive Order 129, signed by President Marcos on Oct. 26, increased the import to 500,000 metric tons from 220,000 MT. This will ensure that a higher volume of imported corn is given lower tariffs.

The order also directed the MAV Management Committee to issue implementing guidelines within 30 days of its effectivity.

Guidelines will provide transparent and equitable allocation of the additional import volume for qualified feed millers, manufacturers and farmers’ groups.

The agency noted that additional imports will only be allowed during the lean season and would act as a supplement to local corn rather than displace local harvests.

Local corn production is expected to have a 1.42 million MT deficit from March through December 2026. Corn is a key feed ingredient for livestock and poultry.

The agency attributed this to production constraints and rising costs for fertilizer, fuel, freight, and other farm inputs, while weather disruptions and the possible impact of El Niño continued to threaten supply.

Tiu Laurel said the corn quota adjustment also forms part of the government’s push to ease pressure on the livestock industry, which continues to face high production costs and low farmgate prices.

The DA has proposed to raise tariffs on imported pork meat due to the continued decline in hog farmgate prices. Hog producers have said that this was caused by the continued entry of imported pork.