Agriculture

The National Food Authority (NFA) launched a pilot test of a 1-tonner palay bagging system in select warehouses nationwide, aiming to reduce storage costs, improve grain preservation, and increase warehousing capacity by up to 30 percent.

Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF) is deepening its footprint in the global coconut industry with a USD45 million (P2.6 billion) investment to acquire and upgrade a coconut processing facility in Tupi, South Cotabato, as demand for coconut-based products surges worldwide.

Palay production for the third quarter is projected to rise by 18 percent year-on-year to 3.93 million metric tons, largely driven by a surge in output from rainfed areas, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) anticipates further drops in global rice prices from the current range—equivalent to P18 to P20 per kilo, excluding tariffs. The institute points to a world market flooded with supply and aggressive pricing by major exporters as key drivers of the slide.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona, and SRA Board Member and farmers’ representative Dave Sanson met recently to address concerns over the low price of raw sugar seen during the first sugar bidding in Negros on 9 October.