WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The effects of African swine fever (ASF) on feed demand may not be as caustic as initially expected, according to a Dec. 16 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Philippine government has made efforts to slow ASF’s spread by placing measures on the movement of hogs, pork products and feed ingredients.

As a result of dampening the spread of ASF, the USDA lowered its market year 2019-20 feed wheat consumption estimate from a decline of 300,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes.

The country’s rice sector experienced a set back by Typhoon Kammuri, the strongest storm to hit the country this year, which according to the USDA caused $74 million in farm sector damages.

Rice production for market year 2019-20 is revised downward due to damage from the typhoon, reduction in harvested area and insufficient water supply.

“An estimated 105,000 tonnes of paddy in 78,000 hectares of rice were affected due to the typhoon,” the USDA said. “The downward revisions are steeper as a result of the continued decline in paddy prices, which will force some farmers to shift away from rice cultivation in 2019-20.”

The USDA expects an increase in rice imports as a result of reduce production, estimating a 200,000 tonne increase.