November 8, 2024

 

Philippines' agriculture faces setbacks as weather and ASF impact third-quarter production

The Philippine agriculture sector recorded a decline of 3.7% in production during the third quarter of this year, as adverse weather conditions and the resurgence of African swine fever (ASF) impacted farm yields.

 

According to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the sector produced goods worth PHP 397.43 billion (US$6.8 billion), down from PHP 412.7 billion (US$7.07 billion) in the same period last year. Aside from poultry, all commodity groups registered declines in output.

 

This recent contraction marks the second consecutive decline in the agriculture sector's performance in 2024, following a modest increase of just 0.2% in the first quarter.

 

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture attributed the downturn to harsh weather conditions, compounded by the lingering effects of ASF on swine production.

 

"Undeniably, the combined effects of El Nino and La Nina weighed down palay production," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr stated. He highlighted the significance of palay as a primary contributor to the crop sector, which constitutes over half of the total value of agricultural and fisheries output.

 

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa noted that meeting the year's production targets would now be challenging.

 

Roy Kempis, director of the Centre for Business Innovation at Angeles University Foundation, projected that farm output would likely continue to decline throughout the remainder of 2024, as recovery from the recent spate of natural calamities could take several months.

 

Kempis suggested that an immediate recovery in crop production is "not possible."

 

"The expected trend for agriculture output for the rest of 2024 is a decline," he said, noting that typhoon Leon and the anticipated arrival of typhoon Marce, along with potential additional storms, would further delay recovery.

 

Raul Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers, echoed this concern, noting that the timing of the storms coincided with the peak harvest season. He warned that carryover stocks for 2025 would be "lower than normal," though imports may help to alleviate some of the shortages.

 

Meanwhile, livestock production dropped by 6.7% to PHP 61.67 billion (US$1.05 billion), with swine yields alone declining by 8%. The impact of ASF is projected to continue affecting swine production into the first quarter of 2025, particularly in major swine-producing regions.

 

-      Philippine Daily Inquirer