{
  "id": 5999120,
  "title": "El Niño impact on rice harvest seen lessening",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/el-nino-impact-on-rice-harvest-seen-lessening",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-06T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/09/07/2554433/el-nio-impact-rice-harvest-seen-lessening"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Department of Agriculture in the Philippines has adjusted its rice production forecasts, reducing the anticipated decrease caused by the El Niño phenomenon to approximately 400,000 metric tons. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that recent rainfalls from the southwest monsoon, or habagat, have filled dams, potentially mitigating the effects of the impending dry season on the country's rice harvest. Tiu Laurel expressed optimism that the revised projections could be reduced by half compared to initial estimates, which predicted a decline of 300,000 to 400,000 MT. This is a significant improvement from the earlier forecast of a 700,000-MT drop due to El Niño. The dry spell, expected to last until early next year, is projected to bring extended periods of drought, intense heat, and a heightened risk of stronger typhoons, despite a decrease in overall rainfall. Secretary Tiu Laurel acknowledged that while the habagat has been beneficial, he hopes it does not persist for an extended period. The total agricultural damage resulting from recent storms, compounded by the southwest monsoon, reached P4.13 billion, with losses amounting to about 100,602 MT across 81,383 hectares of farmland in eight regions. The storms have had a substantial impact on rice, high-value crops, and fisheries. Tiu Laurel previously mentioned that the nation may need to import rice following the harvest season to maintain supply during the El Niño period, which could increase imports by around five million metric tons, surpassing last year's total of 3.39 million MT. According to the Bureau of Plant Industry, rice imports had reached 3.46 million MT as of August 13.",
  "summary": "The Department of Agriculture has revised its rice production projections, narrowing the potential El Niño-induced decline this year to about 400,000 metric tons (MT).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}