Agriculture grew by 0.04 percent in the third quarter of 2015. There were output increases in the livestock, poultry and fisheries subsectors while bigger losses due to intense heat brought about by El Niño as well as the effects of Typhoons Egay, Hannah and Ineng were registered in the crops subsector. Gross value of production in agriculture amounted to P336.0 billion at current prices, 3.23 percent lower than last year’s value. For the period January to September 2015, agriculture grew by 0.65 percent.

 

The crops subsector which contributed 44.54 percent to the total agricultural production declined by 4.86 percent during the reference period. While improvements in production were noted for banana, pineapple, mango, abaca, cassava, camote, eggplant and calamansi, palay and corn production were heavily affected by hot weather conditions and typhoons. At current prices, the subsector reached P172.4 billion decreasing by 8.09 percent from last year’s record. Gross value dropped by 1.69 percent in the first nine (9) months of the year.

 

The livestock subsector which shared 18.45 percent in total agricultural production grew by 3.25 percent. All components posted increases, with hog as the major contributor growing at 3.76 percent. Gross value of production amounted to P58.5 billion at current prices or 0.74 percent higher from last year. For the period January to September 2015, the growth of the subsector was 3.92 percent.

 

Production in the poultry subsector expanded by 8.76 percent. The subsector contributed 17.23 percent to the agricultural gross output. Production of chicken grew by 8.77 percent and chicken eggs, by 9.91 percent. Gross value amounted to P47.4 billion at current prices, up by 2.59 percent this year. The subsector’s gross value in the first nine (9) months of the year increased by 6.32 percent.

 

The fisheries subsector managed to grow by 1.80 percent in the third quarter of 2015. It contributed 19.78 percent to total agricultural production. Production increments were recorded for milkfish, tilapia, tiger prawn, skipjack, yellowfin tuna and seaweed. At current prices, the subsector grossed P57.7 billion, representing a 4.18 percent improvement from the same period last year. Gross value of production of the subsector for the period January to September 2015 dropped by 0.36 percent.

 

Average farmgate prices went down by 3.27 percent during the reference quarter. Prices were notably lower for crops, livestock and poultry subsectors. Prices of the fishery products went up by 2.33 percent this year. For the first nine (9) months of 2015, prices were down by 4.27 percent from last year’s levels.

 

 

 

National Statistician and Civil Registrar General