Agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) rose year-on-year by 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This was slower than the 2.2 percent increase in the same quarter of 2023. (Figure 2)

Poultry and egg production, which grew by 5.8 percent during this period, was the main driver of AFF. This was followed by Sugarcane including muscovado sugar-making in the farm, 18.2 percent; Other agricultural crops, 2.9 percent; Support activities to AFF, 1.8 percent; and Coffee, 24.5 percent.

Other industries that contributed to the increase were: Corn, 1.7 percent; Other animal production, 1.3 percent; Mango, 3.3 percent; Forestry and logging, 38.7 percent; Pineapple, 1.0 percent; Tobacco, 9.5 percent; Cacao, 3.3 percent; and Rubber, 1.0 percent.

On the other hand, the remaining industries under AFF declined during the period. These were Palay, -2.0 percent; Livestock, -3.5 percent; Banana, -4.5 percent; Coconut including copra, -3.3 percent; Fishing and aquaculture, -1.0 percent; Cassava, -8.8 percent; and Abaca, -0.9 percent.

With 8.6 percent share to the total GDP, AFF recorded the least contribution among the three major economic sectors in the first quarter of 2024.

Figure 2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, Q1 2021 to Q1 2024 Growth Rates,
At Constant 2018 Prices

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority