The value of agricultural and fisheries production rose to P437.53 billion in the second quarter, up 5.7 percent from the same period last year, buoyed by stronger crop and poultry output. In contrast, livestock and fisheries production slipped during the April to June period.
The Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday that crops, the largest contributor to the sector, accounted for P244.90 billion, or 56.0 percent of total output. This marked an 11.3 percent year-on-year increase, with palay and corn production registering double-digit gains of 13.9 percent and 27.3 percent, respectively.
Improved weather conditions, following last year’s El Niño-driven drought, supported the rebound in crop yields.
Poultry production rose 7.0 percent to P75.07 billion, contributing 17.2 percent to the sector’s total value. Chicken output grew 8.2 percent, while chicken egg production increased 4.8 percent.
Meanwhile, livestock production declined by 5.9 percent to P59.60 billion, dragged down by a 7.5 percent contraction in hog output. The subsector made up 13.6 percent of total agricultural and fisheries value.
Fisheries also posted a decline, with production value falling 4.2 percent to P57.96 billion, or 13.2 percent of total output.
Stronger agricultural performance often signals broader economic gains, given the sector’s role in providing one in five jobs. In the first quarter, when GDP rose 5.4 percent, agriculture and fisheries expanded by 2.2 percent, contributing 8.3 percent to overall growth.
