THE ESTIMATED production of palay (unhusked rice) and corn may decline in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Based on the standing crop as of August 2026, the PSA said estimated palay production for July to September 2026 may fall to 3.19 million metric tons, down 15% from the actual output of 3.75 million metric tons in the same period in 2025.
The PSA also said the harvest area for July to September 2026 is projected to shrink by 15.8% to 771,790 hectares from 916,770 hectares harvested in the same period last year.
Data also showed that farmers had planted 892,320 hectares, or 56.4%, of the 1.58 million hectares targeted for the July to September 2026 season.
Corn production in the third quarter, meanwhile, is projected to drop 14.4% year-on-year to 2.08 million metric tons from 2.43 million metric tons in the same period last year.
Corn harvest area for July to September 2026 is projected to decline by 12.8% year-on-year to 688,030 hectares from 789,240 hectares in 2025, the PSA said.
Of the 798,370 hectares of standing corn recorded as of August 2026, 39.2% was in the reproductive stage, 31.2% was maturing, and 29.6% remained in the vegetative stage.
Corn farmers had planted 240,280 hectares, or 38%, of the 632,420 hectares targeted for corn production during the July to September 2026 season.
Four tropical cyclones hit the agricultural sector from July to early September.
A final assessment by the Department of Agriculture showed that rice accounted for the biggest share of total agricultural damage and losses at P2.05 billion. Corn incurred P127.60 million in losses. (GMA News)
