FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/99 - PHILIPPINES (2 June)
Drier weather in May reduced wet conditions and favoured second-crop grain harvesting. Earlier, above-normal showers persisted into April across eastern parts, slowing second- crop grain harvesting. Overall, abundant rains in the first quarter boosted paddy and maize production. 1999 first- quarter rice and maize output is the highest in the last five years and signals considerable recovery from El Niņo reduced crops last year. Official reports indicate that first quarter paddy production was around 3 million tonnes compared to 2.2 million tonnes in the same period a last year, whilst maize production is estimated at 1.265 million tonnes some 60 percent higher compared to last year.
As a result of favourable first quarter production, grain stocks are high. Rice stocks were at 2.43 million tonnes at the beginning of April , up 11.6 percent from the previous year, while some 448 800 tonnes of maize were held in stock, up 31.4 percent from the previous year.
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