Central Luzon’s Total Corn Production Decreases in the First Quarter of 2024

The total corn production of Central Luzon for the first quarter of 2024 declined by 14.6 percent. It decreased from 139.33 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2023 to 119.03 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2024. Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Region recorded the highest production at 720.31 thousand metric tons (28.4%) and 371.66 thousand metric tons (14.7%), respectively. Central Luzon contributed 4.7 percent to the total of corn production in the Philippines. (Figure 1 and Table 1)
 

The decrease in the volume of corn production in the region was mainly attributed to the decrease in production of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Bataan and Aurora.  On the other hand, Tarlac and Zambales recorded increases of 0.5 percent and 110.1 percent in corn production, respectively. 
(Table 2)

The region’s yellow corn production for the first quarter of 2024 constituted 92.4 percent of the total corn production, while only 8.6 percent of the production was white corn. (Figure 2)
 

White corn decreased from 15.91 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2023 to 10.21 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2024. Likewise, yellow corn decreased from 123.42 thousand metric tons in the first quarter of 2023 to 108.81 thousand metric tons in first quarter of 2024. (Figure 3)
 

Tarlac contributed more than half (59.2%) of the region's total corn production in the first quarter of 2024. It was followed by Pampanga and Nueva Ecija with a share of 24.9 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively. The remaining 9.0 percent were comprised of shares from Aurora (4.6%), Bataan (2.3%), Bulacan (0.3%), and Zambales (1.8%). (Figure 4)

ARLENE M. DIVINO
Regional Director
PSA RSSO 03
 

TECHNICAL NOTES

Estimates of volume of corn production are generated from the Quarterly Corn Production Survey (CPS) of which there are four survey rounds in a year, that is, January, April, July and October.  

The objective of the survey is to generate estimates on corn production.  The purpose of this survey is to provide data inputs for policy and programs on corn.  The reference and enumeration periods by survey round are as follows:

Definition of terms

Production – refers to the quantity produced and actually harvested during the reference period.  It includes those harvested but damaged, stolen, given away, consumed, given as harvester’s share, reserved, etc.  Production from seed growers is excluded from the survey.
White corn – type of corn used primarily for human consumption.
Yellow corn – used generally as feed grains.  It includes all types of corn other than white.