May 15, 2017

Philippine livestock production up 3.2% in 1st quarter

Philippine livestock grew 3.22% in output during the first quarter, according to figures released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It accounted for 16.85% of total agricultural output, which grew 5.28% in the same period compared with the same quarter last year.

All components of the livestock sector recorded production increases, according to the PSA data, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

The livestock sector's gross value of output amounted to 65.4 billion pesos (US$1.32 billion) at current prices, up 9.37% from last year.

Poultry output was up 1.88% in the first quarter, contributing 15.35% to the total agricultural output.

Gross value of poultry production reached PHP52.9 billion ($1.065 billion), or 2.18% higher than last year's record.

The fisheries sector produced 0.73% more output in the first quarter with 14.15% share to total agricultural output.

On the average, prices received by farmers rose 3.34% in the first quarter, with price gains higher in the livestock and fisheries subsectors.

Production in the crops sector rose 8.28% in January-March, with a share of 53.66% to the total agricultural output.