The country is all set to export yellow corn to Vietnam.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur C. Yap announced that such shipment is unprecedented since the Philippines is traditionally an importer of yellow corn, which is used for animal feeds.

By shipping out the corn, the country will now be exporting an agricultural commodity to Vietnam.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has gotten in touch with its counterpart agency in Hanoi, which has promised to buy the corn.

"Government is ready to export 50,000 to 150,000 metric tons (MT) of corn. This will come from Isabela, Pangasinan, Mindoro, Bukidnon and other provinces," NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro said.

Corn production for the second semester is expected to rise from 656,723 MT to 802,964 MT in Region 2, while Northern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are expected to post significant increases as well.

Corn exports augur well for the country's farmers, Yap said. Farmers in the corn-growing belts of Isabela and Pangasinan would benefit from the exports.

"We have consulted with the local corn farmers, and we have reached agreement," Yap said.

Government and the farmers have agreed on a new buying price of corn pegged at P10 per kilo instead of the prevailing market price of P6.50-P7.00 and the cost of production of corn at P7.81 per kg.

"This will enable the government to buy more grain as well as provide income to the farmers," he said.

"As per our arrangement, the farmers have agreed to sell their produce at P10 per kilo. Para maiwasan din ang pagkalugi ng mga magmamais," he added.