Philippines Eyes Oil Palm Expansion

MANILA, Feb 27 (Bernama-Xinhua) — The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday it is sharpening its focus on oil palm, confident that expanded plantations in Mindanao in the southern Philippines can curb imports, raise farm incomes, and strengthen the country's edible oil supply, reported Xinhua.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the government plans to significantly increase funding for the emerging sector in 2027 after this year's proposed 1 billion pesos (about US$17 million) allocation was trimmed to just 79 million pesos (US$1.4 million).

The DA is now targeting a 1.2 billion-peso (about US$20.8 million) budget next year to support fertiliser assistance, accelerate area expansion, and enhance farm productivity, highlighting a renewed push to scale up oil palm production.

Oil palm plantations currently span about 100,000 hectares nationwide, with the majority located in Mindanao, the DA said.

Despite rising local output, the Philippines continues to import substantial volumes of palm oil, leaving a supply gap that the DA aims to narrow.  

— BERNAMA-XINHUA