The country’s farm output decreased by 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2023 to P412.41 billion from P427.94 billion in the same period in 2022, owing to decreases in output in crops and fisheries sub-sectors.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported that the value of the crops sub-sector declined by 0.4 percent in values ending the third quarter with P222.69 billion from P223.5 billion in the third quarter of 2022. Crops accounted for 54 percent of total agricultural production in the third quarter.
Despite a decline in values, the PSA report noted a slight increase in palay production by 0.2 percent to 3.79 million metric tons (MT) from 3.78 million MT, year-on-year. Corn production also improved by 5 percent to 2.46 million MT from 1.48 million MT.
Significant drops in output, however, are noted in cash crops like abaca, coconut, rubber, and sugarcane.
Livestock, which contributed 16 percent to total agricultural values in the third quarter posted 2.5 percent increase in values to P P66.11 billion, year-on-year, from P64.51 billion in 2022.
Hog production registered a 3.3 percent incremental output to 450,900 MT from 454,300 MT. Year-to-date, hogs production increased by 3.1 percent to 1.31 million MT from 1.27 million MT.
Government efforts to contain and eradicate the African Swine Fever (ASF) is seen as bearing fruits, as more hog-producing regions are, reportedly, recovering from the hogs pandemic.
Poultry output also expanded by 2.9 percent, accounting for 15.7 percent of total agricultural production. Total values for poultry increased to P64.89 billion from P63.06 billion a year ago.
The value of fisheries decreased by 6.1 percent to P58.72 billion P62.45 billion. Its share to total agriculture output was about 14.2 percent.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) meanwhile said that despite slight contraction in the value of farm production, there are still strong indications the sector could contribute positively to the economy.
“As we look at the data more closely, we could see positive signs in the rice, corn and onion harvest as well as in our production of tilapia and galunggong—all important food items for the Filipino masses,” said Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel in a statement.
