Palay Harvest Set to Hit Record High in Q2, PSA Reports
2 min read
JUNE 16,2025
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is on track for a record-breaking palay harvest in the second quarter of 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Palay production from April to June may hit 4.36 million metric tons (MT) — the highest for this period. This would mark a 13.4% increase from last year’s 3.85 million MT.
With this estimate, first-half palay output could reach 9.06 million MT. This would be the second time in history that harvests exceeded nine million MT in the first half. The first was in 2023, when production reached 9.03 million MT. That year also saw the country’s record-high annual harvest of 20.06 million MT.
Compared to last year’s 8.53 million MT, this year’s projected first-half output is 6% higher, PSA data showed.
Experts say many farmers delayed planting in Q1, shifting more harvest activity to Q2. As a result, palay area in the second quarter may grow by 9.2% to 972,730 hectares from 890,600 hectares.
The average yield is also expected to improve. PSA forecasts 4.48 MT per hectare, up from 4.32 MT last year — a 3.7% increase.
By May 1, farmers had harvested about 612,650 hectares, producing 2.82 million MT of palay.
The Department of Agriculture expects a full-year harvest of 20.46 million MT. This growth is driven by better weather and stronger government support.
Still, the country may fall short of demand. The projected output would yield 12.89 million MT of milled rice, while national consumption reaches 15.54 million MT. This gap means rice imports will remain necessary.
Palay Harvest-Why This Matters
A record harvest could ease pressure on rice prices, helping consumers. But the country still needs stronger production to cut reliance on imports and move closer to rice self-sufficiency. NOWTREND
About The Author
