In the second quarter, the Philippines experienced a 1.3 percent contraction in agricultural production due to a decline in fisheries production caused by lower demand and higher input costs. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that agricultural production decreased from a slight dip of 0.5 percent in the same period last year.
The value of agriculture and fishery production at constant 2018 prices dropped to P427.69 billion in the second quarter from P433.11 billion in the same period last year. Major fish species saw a decline in production, except for round scad (galunggong) and tiger prawn. Bigeye tuna (tambakol/bariles) and skipjack (gulyasan) experienced the highest drop in production at 49.9 percent and 49.2 percent, respectively.
David Villaluz, chairperson of the Philippine Association of Fish Producers Inc., attributed the decline in production to the combined effects of higher production costs, lower demand, the adverse impact of climate change, and the entry of imported fish. He expressed concerns over further reduction in production if the market situation does not improve.
On a positive note, crops, livestock, and poultry saw gains in output at 1.2 percent, 0.7 percent, and 1.5 percent, respectively. However, the swine sector’s output was affected by sporadic outbreaks of African swine fever and the unregulated influx of imported pork.
Rolando Tambago, from the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc., highlighted the challenges faced by the swine sector. Despite the modest increase in livestock output, Chester Warren Tan, president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., considered it a success due to farm expansion and industry repopulation efforts.
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