corn

Corn production in 2019 is predicted to experience a surplus of up to 50 percent. Corn production in 2019 is targeted to reach 33 million tons of corn.

"This year is good again at the harvest," said Secretary of the Directorate General of Food Crops of the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture) Maman Suherman as reported by Republika, Sunday (6/1).

Harvest in January is estimated at 1.7 million tons of corn. Meanwhile, production in February was 4.8 million tons and 3.3 million tons of corn in March. The corn production is recognized as sufficient to meet animal feed needs, even a surplus of up to 15 million tons of corn.

Maman added, the need for corn for the large feed industry averaged 1.5 million tons per month. That means, in one year it takes around 18 million tons of corn to meet the needs of the feed industry.

"We export. It's possible to feed small farmers, "he said.

Maman's destination for corn exports is still the same as the previous year, namely the Philippines and Malaysia. The need for corn in the Philippines in a year is one million tons, while demand in Malaysia reaches three million tons.

Regarding the high estimate of corn production in February, coinciding with the entry of imported corn, Maman stressed that it would not make corn prices fall.

"The price depends on the distribution. For example, this month's harvest is in Medan, if the needs of its factories in East Java means the cost of distribution is large. So here is the distribution factor, "he said.