Typhoons slow down agri growth in first 9 months

MANILA, Philippines - Production in the agriculture sector grew at a slower pace in the first nine months of the year in terms of volume because of considerable damage caused by a series of destructive typhoons that visited the country between July and September, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported yesterday.

The value of production, however, grew in the first three quarters of the year on price gains in the crops, livestock and poultry subsectors.

Production volume in the agriculture sector grew at a slower pace of 0.33 percent in the first nine months of the year against a growth rate of 1.10 percent in the comparative period last year. This was due to the destruction caused by Typhoons Glenda, Luis and Mario.

Production in the crops subsector grew faster by 1.20 percent during the period against a growth rate -0.79 percent in the comparative period. Slower gains were noted for production of palay (unhusked rice) and corn, although improved production were noted for sugarcane, mango, tobacco and onion.

The livestock subsector had slower production in the first nine months of the year, as reflected in a growth rate of 1.05 percent against a growth rate of 1.86 percent. The hog industry remained the subsector’s main growth driver.

The poultry subsector, the most affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda mid-July, registered a 0.74 percent decline in production. Production increases were noted for chicken and duck, while egg production contracted.

Production in the fisheries subsector likewise declined by 1.80 percent against a growth rate of 3.17 in the comparative period last year. Except for production of skipjack, production of all species fell in terms of volume.

On the average, farmgate prices of agricultural commodities rose 9.19 percent in the first nine months of the year. The average increase in prices were highest in the crops and poultry subsectors at 13.59 percent and 8.40 percent respectively.

The agriculture sector grossed at P1.1 trillion at current prices in the first nine months, up 9.55 percent year-on-year.

Gross earnings in the crops subsector  rose year-on-year by 14.95 percent to P633.7 billion at current prices due to gains in the farmgate prices of most commodities such as palay, coconut corn, coffee and abaca.

Gross earnings in the livestock subsector rose 6.06 percent to P176.9 billion at current prices on increased carabao ad hog production.

Despite lower production volume in the poultry subsector gross earnings in the subsector rose by 7.60 percent year-on-year to P138 billion at current prices. This was mainly due to high demand for chicken.