Rice production in the Philippines to recover next season

The Philippines is projected to see a rise in rice and corn production in the 2025-26 season, driven by favorable weather conditions and increased government support. Rice production is expected to rise by 2.1% to 12.25 million tons, with the planted area increasing by 2.2% to 4.7 million hectares. The Rice Competitiveness Fund will see its funding increased from PHP10 billion to PHP30 billion by 2031. Corn production is also expected to rise slightly to 8.2 million tonnes, fueled by demand for animal feed. Wheat imports are predicted to remain stable at 7.2 million tonnes, but consumption is expected to rise by 2.7% to 3.75 million tonnes due to population growth and changing diets.

Favorable weather and government support will help the Philippines recover in rice production in the 2025-26 season, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported on April 2, World grain reported. Milled rice production is forecast at 12.25 million tons, up 2.1% from a year earlier. Planted area is set to increase by 2.2% to 4.7 million hectares. The Rice Competitiveness Fund had planned to end its funding in 2024, but will instead increase it from PHP10 billion ($180 million) to PHP30 billion ($530 million) by 2031. Under the program, rice production from 2019 to 2024 has increased from 18.62 million tons to 20.04 million tons. The increase in rice production will reduce imports by 1.9% to 5.2 million tons. Corn production in 2025-26 is forecast to increase marginally by 0.6% to 8.2 million tonnes, supported by favorable weather, government support programs, and growing demand for animal feed. Corn consumption for feed is forecast to ...