Philippines: Palay production dips to 3.08 million MT in Q3 2026
Philippines’ palay production fell 18% year over year to 3.08 million tonnes in Q3 2026, mainly due to reduced harvested areas, high input costs and delayed planting. The Agriculture Department is strengthening drought preparedness through water management, climate-resilient rice varieties and a proposed P61.99-billion mitigation plan.
The country’s palay (unhusked rice) production declined in the third quarter of the year, with the government strengthening its measures to shield the rice sector from the potential impacts of El Niño, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the palay production from July to September of this year reached 3.08 million metric tons (MT), around 18% lower than the 3.75 million MT recorded in the same quarter in 2025.
But the DA said the decline in palay production volume is already expected
largely due to reduced harvested areas.
“We anticipated the decline for the 3rd quarter production, mainly because of the reduction in harvested area. High fertilizer and fuel costs affected farmers’ investment in inputs and, in some cases, their planting decisions,” said DA Undersecretary Christopher Morales in a statement.
But the DA official said the drop in production is not solely due to El Niño. Farmers’ production decisions and planting schedules were also influenced by several challenges, including rising fertilizer and fuel prices, delayed planting, limited irrigation access, and reluctance to take on production risks due to high costs and uncertain returns, said Morales.
Despite this, the DA said the country is now better equipped when it comes to dealing with prolonged drought due to El Niño.
“We have more tools now to mitigate the impact,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a statement.
To brace for the upcoming El Niño, the DA said it is ramping up efforts to boost water supply, encourage the use of climate-resilient rice strains, improve field monitoring, and guide farmers in aligning their planting dates with regional weather and water forecasts.
The DA earlier proposed a P61.99-billion action plan to mitigate the impact of El Niño on the country’s food supply and livelihoods.
The proposed spending package includes P6.2 billion already released under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program.
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Source : GMA
