Local rice output likely declined in ’22 as costs soared

The surge in the cost of fertilizers and the damage caused by typhoons likely pulled down local rice production in 2022, which also saw an increase in the consumption of this staple food of Filipinos, according to international research.

The United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) reported in December that milled rice production in the Philippines settled at 11.98 million metric tons in 2022, lower than its earlier forecast of 12.41 million MT.

The report also noted that the harvest area shrank to 4.7 million hectares (ha) from the previous 4.8 million ha due to Typhoon “Karding,” which ravaged parts of the country back in September.

The USDA-FAS noted as well the decline in fertilizer imports from April to July, when it is most needed for growing crops, likely due to the price spike that not all farmers could cope with.

While local output declined, the report said rice consumption was expected to have increased during the year, owing to the shifting of demand from high-priced bread to rice.

“Rice retail prices in Metro Manila were generally stable. One possible reason for the stable rice retail prices is the balancing of supply and demand,” the report said, noting that lower production was balanced by higher importation.

The USDA raised its rice importation forecast for the year to 3.8 million MT, as local output was not enough to meet the demand. INQ