Agricultural output growth 1.9% per year in the first The Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA) said the quarterly weather helps increase crops, fisheries and poultry production.
Data from PSA shows that the value of agricultural and fishery production grew by 1.9% between January and March to 43.74 billion P43.74 billion, faster 0.2% in the first quarter of 2024.
This was the revised 2% contraction in the fourth quarter, ending a three-quarter decline.
“The value of crops, poultry and fishery output has recorded improvements, while livestock value continued to decline in the quarter,” the PSA said in a report.
At current prices, agricultural and fishery output value increased by 2.3% in the first quarter to reach pesos 623.66 billion.
“We are optimistic about the recovery signal momentum in the second half of the first quarter – especially when we bring new infrastructure online (such as cold storage) facility and rice processing system” agricultureLittle Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel (Jr.) said in a statement.
However, Fermin D. Adriano, former deputy deputy agriculture minister, said agriculture in the first quarter The output is “expected”.
“(This follows) the normal pattern of Agri performance, because there are no typhoons and Extreme weather Occurs… Harvest season is in the first One quarter of the year. Wait until the second quarter of the planting season (lean supply season) and the strong heat will affect the water supply IrrigaTion. ” he said in the Viber message.
Crop yields, which accounted for 57% of the total, increased by 1% between January and March to Pesos 24.61 billion. This is a shift from a 0.3% decline in the same period last year.
PALAY or uncooked food production accounted for 0.3%, improving Starting with a 2% contraction a year ago.
During the period ending March, PALAY production volume reached 4.7 million tons (MMT), from 4.69 million MMT in the same period last year.
The Ministry of Agriculture (DA) said the yield reached a record high of 4.09 tons per hectare, offsetting the decline in rice implanted areas. It aims to achieve a record PALAY output of 20.46 MMT this year.
PSA data showed corn production fell 5.1% in the first quarter, a reversal of 0.5% growth last year.
Coconut production fell 0.3%, slower than the 3.3% decline in the same quarter in 2024.
Crops with double-digit increase in output value include tobacco (80.4%), cocoa (23.6%), sugar cane (19%), rubber (13.6%), coffee (10.7%) and Mongo (10.1%).
On the other hand, Abaca produces value (15.4%), sweet potatoes (9.4%), mangoes (7.5%), cabbage (6.4%) and Calamansi (0.8%).
The poultry sector grew 9.4% to Pesos 75.22 billion, contributing 17.2% of farm production, according to PSA.
The value of egg production increased by 12.1%, while egg production increased by 8.7%, and ducks decreased by 1.5%.
On the other hand, duck egg production fell 2.2% in the first quarter.
“Because of higher meat prices, especially pig prices, consumers' consumption patterns turn consumption patterns into food proteins,” said Danilo V. Fausto, president of Philippine Agriculture and Food Corporation, in Viber's information. “Because of higher meat prices, especially pig prices, consumers' consumption patterns turn consumption patterns into food proteins,” said Philippine Agriculture and Food Corporation (Inc.
“This can be seen in good performance in chicken and egg production and in good performance in the growth of the pig industry,” he added.
However, Mr. Foster warned that local poultry industry could face challenges if imported from the United States.
“But if the U.S. needs to use more chickens into the country as bargaining chips to reconsider Trump's tariffs on Philippine exports to the U.S., it will suffer a headwind,” he said.
Low among livestock
Meanwhile, the value of livestock production continued to decline in the first quarter.
Livestock production fell 2.8% to 5.782 billion shots in the period to March, although the decline was slower than 3.5% in the same period last year, according to PSA data. This accounts for 13.2% of the total farm output.
In the first quarter, HOG production fell by 3.7%, while Carabao production fell by 0.2%.
However, production of dairy products (10.5%), cattle (1.3%) and goats (1.2%) increased.
“The livestock contraction is expected to be ineffective with the DA's highly competitive ASF (African Pig Fever) vaccine, which is rarely adopted by pig breeders,” Mr Adriano said.
The DA said in March that it is expected to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration in April to commercially launch the ASF vaccine from Vietnam.
“Hopefully, we can also start rolling out of the long-awaited ASF vaccine later this year, which will help kickstart DA's massive pig heavy goods efforts,” Mr Laurel said.
As of April 11, data from the animal industry showed that ASF had been found in 39 villages as of March 14.
Meanwhile, fishery output rose 1.5% in the first quarter to reach Pesos 55.1 billion, accounting for 12.6% of the total output. This is an improvement from the 0.2% drop in the same period in 2024.
Milk fish (Bangus) Yield increased by 7.8%, while tilapia increased by 2.2%.
Slipmouth or sapsap (21%), mud or Alimango (20%), Indian mackerel or Aluminum (14.5%) and blue crab or Alimasag (12.1%).
However, due to sardines or Tunsoy (34.5%), round or GAlunggong (14.7%), Kavala or talakitok (12.7%) and Bigeye Tuna or Tambakor (11.2%).
Raul Q. Montemar of the Federation of Free Farmers said the agricultural sector still has a lot to catch up, especially since production fell last year.
In 2024, farm output shrank by 2.2%, largely due to El Niño weather patterns, which is estimated to cause about 15 billion to 15 billion times the local agriculture. – Catatianza
