Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday announced a positive growth outlook for the agriculture and fisheries sector in the third quarter of 2025, with production value rising by 2.8 percent year-on-year, based on official government data. This growth was largely driven by stronger rice and poultry production, which together accounted for about two-thirds of the sector’s output.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the total value of agricultural and fisheries production for the third quarter reached P408.94 billion. Crop production, which makes up 53 percent of the sector’s output, rose by 3 percent to P218 billion, with palay (rice) output increasing by nearly 13 percent. However, corn production saw a decline of 2.9 percent. Overall, crop volume grew by 1.5 percent, totaling 15.25 million metric tons.
Secretary Laurel expressed optimism, noting that the sector has shown steady improvement each quarter, aided by favorable weather conditions. He also mentioned that palay production could set a new record this year, similar to the success seen in sugar production.
However, the livestock sector remains a concern, with production values falling by 1.9 percent due to challenges like African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza. The Secretary is hopeful that upcoming vaccines and the Department’s repopulation programs will help the sector recover.
Fisheries also faced setbacks, with production dropping by 2.7 percent, largely due to a 15.7 percent decline in seaweed production, following last year’s El Niño.
Poultry, on the other hand, showed strong recovery, with production rising by 11 percent to P75.96 billion. This growth was driven by a 12 percent increase in chicken production and a 7.7 percent rise in egg output.
Looking ahead, Laurel remains hopeful that, barring major weather disruptions, the agriculture and fisheries sector will fully recover from last year’s losses caused by climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña.
