RICE STOCK

• The total rice stock as of May 1, 2010 was estimated at 3.32 million metric tons. This was 549 thousand metric tons or 19.8 percent higher than last month’s inventory of 2.77 million metric tons. It was also higher by 23.8 percent than last year’s level of 2.68 million metric tons.
• Comparative estimates with those of last month showed significant increases in all the sectors’ inventories. Stocks in the household went up by 3.4 percent while those in the commercial sector grew by 8.8 percent.  The volume of stocks in NFA depositories, of which 83 percent were imported rice, was higher by 37.1 percent.
• Compared to last year’s inventory levels, stocks in NFA depositories went up by 65.2 percent and those in commercial warehouses by 3.6 percent. In contrast, household stocks dropped by 6.0 percent.
• The May 1, 2010 inventory of rice stocks would be enough for 93 days. Stocks in NFA depositories would be good for 49 days, while those in commercial warehouses would be good for 13 days. Household stocks would last for 31 days.

Table 1. Percentage change in the inventory of rice stocks,
Philippines, April 2010 and May 2009 and 2010

CORN STOCK

• The May 1, 2010 total corn stock amounted to 195 thousand metric tons. This was 18.8 percent lower than last month’s level and 16.0 percent below last year’s record.
• Compared to last month’s levels, a reduction of 44.0 percent in stock inventories was recorded in NFA  depositories. In the household sector, stocks were down by 42.5 percent. However, the volume of stocks in the commercial sector increased by 22.8 percent.
• Relative to last year’s inventory records, stocks in the households were lower by 43.3 percent and those in the commercial warehouses dropped by 28.8 percent.
• Around 23 percent of the current stocks were with the households, 56 percent were with the commercial warehouses, while 21 percent were with the NFA depositories.

Table 2. Percentage change in the inventory of corn stocks,
Philippines, April 2010 and May 2009 and 2010