Abaca production from April to June 2023 was estimated at 17.64 thousand metric tons. This was -1.8 percent lower than the previous year’s same quarter output of 17.97 thousand metric tons.

Bicol Region recorded the highest abaca production of 5.99 thousand metric tons or 33.9 percent share to the total abaca production during the period. This was followed by Eastern Visayas with 2.87 thousand metric tons (16.3%) and Caraga with 2.45 thousand metric tons (13.9%). These regions had a collective share of 64.1 percent to the total abaca production during the period.

From January to June 2023, area planted with abaca was recorded at 136.96 thousand hectares. This indicates an increase of 7.1 percent from the 127.82 thousand hectares area planted in the same period of 2022.