FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 09/98 - PHILIPPINES (3 September)

Planting of main season paddy, which was hampered by El Niño related drought at the beginning of the season, is nearing completion. Several provinces in Mindanao were affected by prolonged drought severely damaging crops and resulting in serious food shortages. Maize output in 1998 is expected to be about 3.79 million tonnes, about 12 and 14 percent below last year’s harvest and the average for the previous five years respectively. Output of paddy in 1998 is also expected to decline to 10.5 million tonnes, about 2 percent below average.

The Government has estimated that about half a million households were affected with about half of those in dire need. The National Food Agency is reported to have contracted a record import of 1.35 million tonnes of rice for delivery this year.

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