Philippines' Palay Production Rises in Q2 2026, Boosted by Irrigation System Restoration and Strong Prices

Palay or unmilled rice production in the Philippines rose year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, reaching 4,628,990.71 metric tons from April to June. This figure surpasses the 4,378,382.11 metric tons recorded in the same period last year and the 4,395,287.06 metric tons from the first quarter of this year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The Department of Agriculture (DA) attributes the increase in palay harvest to recent favorable conditions. DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa highlighted the restoration of 30,000 hectares of the Upper Pampanga River Irrigation System (UPRIS) as a significant contributor to the positive production volume. Portions of UPRIS, which serves Nueva Ecija and parts of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Bulacan, were previously damaged by illegal quarrying activities late last year. Furthermore, de Mesa noted that farmers are motivated to plant due to strong palay prices recently. The robust prices during the dry season harvest have encouraged continued planting this season. To address the higher cost of fertilizer and other inputs, the DA had earlier directed the National Food Authority (NFA) to set the minimum buying price for wet palay at P21 per kilogram, starting with the upcoming September harvest season. This increase in palay production is crucial for the Philippines, a nation heavily reliant on rice as a staple food. The positive trend is expected to contribute to food price stability. However, ensuring the prevention of infrastructure damage from illegal quarrying and continuing support for farmers facing rising input costs will be vital for sustained production.