(MENAFN) The country"s rice inventory declined by 20 percent in the first nine months of the year to 1.42 million metric tons, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

This was lower than the 1.78 million MT recorded a year earlier and 30 percent below the 2.02 million MT recorded in August.

According to the PSA, stock inventory of Filipinos" main staple will be sufficient for 40 days.

Stocks held by households are sufficient for 20 days, while those in commercial warehouses are also good for 20 days.

The National Food Authority, meanwhile, has depositories enough only for two days when it is supposed to have a 15-day buffer stock.

MENAFN1110201700450000ID1095939812