September 2, 2024

 

Corn production in Western Visayas, Philippines, plummets by 26.6% in Q2 2024

Corn production in Western Visayas, Philippines, experienced a significant drop of 26.6% in the second quarter of 2024, according to a recent report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office VI, Daily Guardian reported.

 

The region's total corn output for the quarter was recorded at 25,409 metric tonnes (MT), a sharp decrease from the 34,640 MT produced during the same period in 2023.

 

The report also noted a corresponding decline in the area harvested for corn. The harvested area shrank by 27.7%, from 14,576 hectares in Q2 2023 to 10,533 hectares in Q2 2024.

 

White corn production saw the most dramatic decline, plummeting by 44.8%, from 11,258 MT in 2023 to 6,219 MT in 2024. Yellow corn production also fell, though at a lower rate of 17.9%, decreasing from 23,381 MT to 19,190 MT.

 

The area harvested for white corn decreased by 34.4%, dropping from 7,108 hectares in 2023 to 4,662 hectares in 2024. The area harvested for yellow corn also declined by 21.4%, from 7,468 hectares to 5,871 hectares during the same period.

 

Among the provinces in Western Visayas, Capiz emerged as the leading corn producer, contributing 43.7% of the region's total output for the quarter. It was followed by Negros Occidental at 28.5%, Antique at 14.9%, and Iloilo at 11.5%.

 

In contrast to the overall regional trend, Capiz reported a 25.5% increase in its harvested area. However, other provinces like Negros Occidental and Iloilo recorded significant reductions in harvested areas, with declines of 32.4% and 56.8%, respectively.

 

-      Daily Guardian