Total volume of cattle production for the second quarter of 2018 was estimated at 66,459 metric tons, liveweight. This was 3.46 percent lower than last year’s output of 68,838 metric tons, liveweight. (Table 1) Nine regions reported decreases in production, four (4) of which were major producing regions. These were CALABARZON (8.41 %), Ilocos Region (8.43%), Western Visayas (1.03%), and SOCCSKSARGEN (11.10%). These regions shared 42.07 percent to the country’s total cattle production.

As of July 1, 2018, the total cattle inventory was estimated at 2.55 million heads. This was 0.37 percent lower compared with the previous year’s inventory of 2.56 million heads. Similarly, inventory in backyard farms and commercial farms decreased by 0.35 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively. (Table 2) The top five regions in terms of inventory of cattle in all farm types, as of July 1, 2018, were Ilocos Region, Central Visayas, CALABARZON, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao. These regions contributed 52.25 percent to the total cattle population in the country.

The second quarter average farmgate price of cattle for slaughter increased by 8.47 percent. It was up from its last year’s level of PhP 97.90 per kilogram, liveweight to PhP 106.19 per kilogram, liveweight this year. (Table 3)