Agricultural output contracted by 1.27 percent in the second quarter of 2019. This was attributed to the decline in crops production. Increases, however, were recorded for livestock, poultry and fisheries. At current prices, the value of agricultural production amounted to PhP 424.6 billion. This was 5.20 percent lower than the previous year’s level. In the first six (6) months of 2019, agricultural output went down by 0.24 percent.

Crops registered a 5.70 percent drop in production during the second quarter of 2019. It contributed 47.42 percent to the total agricultural output. Palay and corn recorded decreases in production by 5.82 percent and 8.73 percent, respectively. Output increases were noted for onion, garlic, mango, tobacco, rubber, eggplant, pineapple and abaca. At current prices, the value of crops production amounted to PhP 215.5 billion or 11.09 percent lower this period. From January to June 2019, a 3.16 percent reduction in crops production was recorded.

Livestock production which shared 17.41 percent in the total agricultural output increased by 3.22 percent in the second quarter of 2019. Hog and dairy came up with output gains during the period. The value of livestock production amounted to PhP 77.7 billion at current prices, indicating a 1.96 percent decrease this quarter. In the first half of 2019, livestock production grew by 2.24 percent.

Poultry production went up by 4.14 percent and it accounted for 17.75 percent of the total agricultural output in the second quarter of 2019. Except for duck, all poultry commodities posted increased production. At current prices, the value of poultry production at PhP 56.7 billion was down by 2.26 percent compared to the previous year’s record. From January to June 2019, poultry production increased by 4.73 percent.

Fisheries output which grew by 1.90 percent contributed 17.41 percent to the total agricultural production during the second quarter of 2019. Increases in production were recorded for yellowfin tuna, roundscad, tiger prawn and tilapia. At current prices, the value of fisheries production amounted to PhP 74.7 billion or higher by 9.42 percent this period. Fisheries output was up by 1.51 percent in the first six (6) months of 2019.

On the average, farmgate prices declined by 3.98 percent this quarter. Prices were down for crops by 5.72 percent, livestock by 5.02 percent and poultry by 6.14 percent while fisheries increased by 7.37 percent.Farmgate prices decreased by an average of 4.02 percent for the period January to June 2019.