Total hog production from October to December 2022 was estimated at 465.32 thousand metric tons, liveweight. This indicates an annual increase of 3.4 percent relative to its same quarter of the previous year’s level of 450.22 thousand metric tons, liveweight. It also exhibited an improvement from the -12.6 percent reduction recorded in the same quarter of 2021.

The top five regions with the highest volume of hog production at liveweight during the period were the following:
a. Central Visayas, 56.80 thousand metric tons;
b. Northern Mindanao, 56.62 thousand metric tons;
c. Western Visayas, 54.39 thousand metric tons
d. CALABARZON,52.06 thousand metric tons; and
e. Central Luzon, 38.49 thousand metric tons.

These regions accounted for 55.6 percent share to the country’s total hog production during the quarter.

In comparison to their output in the same quarter of 2021, 11 regions posted increases in production during the quarter. In terms of level, Central Luzon posted the highest increase of 11.52 thousand metric tons, from 26.97 thousand metric tons in the same quarter of the previous year to 38.49 thousand metric tons this quarter.

As of 31 December 2022, the country’s total swine inventory increased to 9.75 million heads from 9.43 million heads in the same period of 2021. Increases in population were noted in all farm classifications, with smallhold farms recording the highest annual increase of 3.9 percent. As of 31 December 2022, the share of smallhold farms increased to 76.5 percent share from its 76.2 percent share in the same period of 2021. (Figure 2)

CALABARZON recorded the highest swine population of 1,173.99 thousand heads as of 31 December 2022. This was followed by Central Visayas and Western Visayas with corresponding inventories of 1,129.83 thousand heads and 1,126.46 thousand heads. These three regions accounted for 35.1 percent share to the country’s total swine population during the period.

The average farmgate price of hogs for slaughter was quoted at PhP 163.09 per kilogram, liveweight for this quarter. This was 7.0 percent higher than the previous year’s same period average farmgate price of PhP 152.43 per kilogram, liveweight. (Figure 4)

During the reference quarter, the highest farmgate price was recorded in December at PhP 166.53 per kilogram, liveweight, while the lowest was in October at PhP 159.17 per kilogram, liveweight.

DIVINA GRACIA L. DEL PRADO, Ph.D.
(Assistant National Statistician)
Office-in-Charge, Deputy National Statistician
Sectoral Statistics Office