THE volume of the country's total rice inventory as of November 1, 2008 is higher than the previous months and last year's, by 35.8 percent and 44.5 percent, respectively, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported.

BAS said the total rice stock inventory as of November 1 is estimated at 2.94 million metric tons.

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Household stocks are 69.8 percent more than the October 1 inventory. Stocks in commercial warehouses increased by 39.3 percent while those in NFA depositories posted a 3.6 percent increase from last month.

As compared to 2007, this year's November 1 holdings are higher. NFA stocks posted a significant increase of 227.4 percent, while stocks in commercial warehouses and households also went up by 43 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.

BAS added that the total rice stock would be enough for 89 days. NFA stocks are good for 30 days; stocks in the commercial warehouses will last for 16 days; and household rice stocks for 43 days.

Meanwhile, as to the country's corn inventory, total stocks of the same period are estimated at 204.5 thousand metric tons. The volume is lower compared to the October 1 inventory and also below last year by 28.6 percent.

BAS said household stocks dropped 71.6 percent while stocks in the commercial warehouses also decreased by 71.3 percent as compared to the October 1 inventory. (JGRS)

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(December 31, 2008 issue)
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