Agriculture grew by 1.80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. Crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries contributed to the higher production during the quarter. At current prices, the gross value of agricultural production amounted to PhP 521.2 billion, higher by 4.05 percent than the previous year’s level. From January to December 2018, agricultural production increased by 0.56 percent.

Crops production slightly increased by 0.25 percent. It accounted for 50.40 percent of the total agricultural output. Palay production declined by 2.20 percent while corn production grew by 10.82 percent. Increases in production were registered by coconut, banana, pineapple, coffee, mango, tobacco, abaca, mongo, tomato, onion, cabbage and rubber. At current prices, the value of crop production amounted to PhP 295.4 billion, 2.19 percenthigher than the previous year’s record. On an annual basis, crops production posted a 0.98 percent drop in 2018.

Livestock registered a 1.64 percent increase in production. It contributed 17.74 percent to the total agricultural production. Carabao, hog and dairy came up with output gains during the fourth quarter of 2018. At current prices, the value of livestock production reached PhP 91.9 billion, up by 7.42 percent from the previous year’s level. From January to December 2018, livestock production went up by 1.89 percent.

Poultry production expanded by 6.99 percent during the quarter, accounting for 16.18 percent to the total agricultural output. The value of poultry production amounted to PhP 60.7 billion at current prices. This was 1.74 percent higher than the previous year’s record. From January to December 2018, poultry production increased by 5.75 percent.

Fisheries production went up by 1.93 percent. It shared 15.68 percent in the total agricultural output. Except for roundscad and yellowfin tuna, all the major fish species recorded increases in output. At current prices, the value of fisheries production reached PhP 73.3 billion or 9.88 percent more this period. On an annual basis, fisheries output declined by 1.13 percent in 2018.

On the average, prices received by farmers increased by 2.22 percent. Price increments were noted for crops at 1.94 percent, livestock at 5.69 percentand fisheries at 7.80 percent while poultry recorded an average drop of 4.91 percent. From January to December 2018, farmgate prices went up by an average of 5.62 percent. (PSA)