The total volume of carabao production in January to March 2019 was 30.40 thousand metric tons, liveweight. This was 2.5 percent lower than the 31.19 thousand metric tons, liveweight output in 2018.

Twelve regions posted declines in production, ranging from 0.1 percent to 7.0 percent. The biggest decline in production was recorded in Davao Region, from 2.59 thousand metric tons, liveweight in 2018 to 2.40 thousand metric tons, liveweight in 2019.

Western Visayas was the highest producer of carabao at 5.71 thousand metric tons, liveweight. This was followed by Ilocos Region with 2.61 thousand metic tons, liveweight and Bicol Region with 2.49 thousand metric tons, liveweight. These three regions contributed 35.6 percent to country’s total carabao production. (Table 1)

As of 01 January 2019, the total inventory of carabao was estimated at 2.87 million heads. This was 0.3 percent lower than its previous year’s level of 2.88 million heads.

Among all ages, caracow accounted for 40.8 percent of the total carabao stocks. Carabull, yearling, and caraheifer shared 27.1 percent, 16.6 percent, and 10.7 percent, respectively. Others which composed of castrated and ready to breed carabull contributed 4.8 percent to the total carabao inventory. (Table 2)

The average farmgate price of carabao for slaughter in January to March 2019 was PhP97.67 per kilogram, liveweight. This was 5.0 percent higher than the 2018 farmgate price of PhP92.98 per kilogram, liveweight.

During the quarter, the highest farmgate price was recorded in January at PhP98.37 per kilogram, liveweight, while the lowest was in February at PhP96.71 per kilogram, liveweight. (Table 3)

TECHNICAL NOTES

This Carabao Situation Report presents the carabao industry in terms of volume of production, inventory by age, and average farmgate price. The report was prepared to serve as ready reference for PSA’s various clients and stakeholders in the agriculture sector. It is released quarterly in January, May, August and November every year.

Concepts and Definitions
Volume of production refers to the volume of locally-raised carabao disposed for slaughter including those which were shipped-out to other regions/provinces for slaughter. This is expressed in metric ton, liveweight.

Inventory refers to the actual number of carabao present in the farm as of a specific reference date.

Farmgate price refers to the price received by raisers for their produce at the location of farm. Thus, the marketing costs such as the transport and other marketing cost (if any) incurred in selling the produce are not included in the farmgate prices.

ROSALINDA P. BAUTISTA
(Director II)
Officer-in-Charge
Sectoral Statistics Office