MANILA, Philippines — Pineapples posted the largest production gain among the country’s major fruit crops in the second quarter, growing by 4.6 percent.
Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s latest major fruit crops quarterly bulletin, the production of pineapple from April to June increased to 744,824 metric tons (MT) from 712,261 MT in the same period last year.
Northern Mindanao accounted for the bulk of the production or 48.6 percent of the total production during the quarter with a total of 362,000 MT.
This was followed by SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) with a 25.2 percent share at 187,710 MT.
Banana production grew 1.3 percent in the second quarter to 2.26 million.
Cavendish variety accounted for the bulk of the production or 52.3 percent at 1.18 million MT.
This was followed by saba and lakatan with a 28.2 percent share and 10.4 percent share, respectively.
The Davao Region remained the top producer of bananas with a 38.9 percent share at 876,600 MT.
Northern Mindanao followed with a 19 percent contribution at 429,400 MT, while SOCCSKSARGEN accounted for a 12.2 percent share at 274,700 MT.
In contrast, calamansi posted a 7.8 percent decline in production to 13,380 MT.
Zamboanga Peninsula had the largest share of the total production or 20.1 percent at 2,690 MT.
This was followed by MIMAROPA with a 15.5 percent share at 2,100 MT, while Central Luzon accounted for 14.9 percent of the total production at 2,000 MT.
Mango production also dropped 0.2 percent to 556,820 MT from 558,070 MT in the same period last year. Carabao mango had the largest share of the production contributing 80.9 percent at 450,480 MT.
The Ilocos Region remained the largest producer of mangoes in the second quarter contributing 22.4 percent of the total production at 124,680 MT.
This was followed by SOCCSKSARGEN and Zamboanga Peninsula which both shared 9.8 percent to the total at 54,500 MT and 54,300 MT, respectively.