According to the latest statistics released by the Philippines Department of Agriculture, Philippine paddy rice output in the first six months of 2008 have reached 7.3 million MT, up 9% on year.

The output is also higher, by 200,000 MT, than the department's initial output forecast of 7.1 million MT.  The department is hopeful of achieving an output target of 10 million MT in the second half of the year when the main crop is harvested.