The Philippines’ agriculture and fisheries sector posted moderate growth in the third quarter, buoyed by stronger rice and poultry production that offset declines in livestock and fisheries, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Thursday.
At constant 2018 prices, the value of agriculture and fisheries production reached P408.94 billion, up 2.8 percent year on year. Crop production, which made up 53 percent of total output, rose 3.0 percent to P218 billion. Palay output surged close to 13 percent, driving overall growth, while corn production fell 2.9 percent. Total crop volume was estimated at 15.25 million metric tons, up 1.5 percent.
Poultry production continued its strong recovery, climbing 11 percent to P75.96 billion and accounting for 19 percent of the sector’s value. Chicken output increased 12 percent, while egg production grew 7.7 percent, pushing total poultry volume up nearly 11 percent to 785,100 metric tons.
In contrast, livestock output remained weak. The value of livestock production dropped 1.9 percent to P60.51 billion, with volume down 1.6 percent to 514,390 metric tons as hog production slipped 1.4 percent, still affected by African Swine Fever.
Fisheries also declined, with the value of output down 2.7 percent to P54.47 billion and volume contracting 7.5 percent to 894,320 metric tons. The drop was largely attributed to a 15.7 percent fall in seaweed production.
The figures highlight uneven recovery across subsectors — with rice and poultry gains cushioning persistent challenges in livestock and fisheries, including disease and climate-related risks.
