By Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel, Reporter
THE Philippines’ agricultural production shrank by 0.3% within the first quarter of the 12 months, resulting from a decline in crop and fisheries output, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Data from the PSA showed the worth of production in agriculture and fisheries at constant 2018 prices declined to P437.52 billion within the January to March period, from P438.65 billion in the identical period last 12 months.
This was a reversal of the two.1% growth in farm output in the primary quarter of 2025, and the 0.8% expansion within the fourth quarter.
This was also the primary drop in output for the reason that 1.9% contraction within the fourth quarter of 2024.
Declines in crops (-2.4%) and fisheries (-6.1%) outweighed gains in poultry (7.1%) and livestock (5.1%), dragging down the farm sector’s overall performance in the course of the first quarter.
“The decline was driven by weaker crop and fisheries output, underscoring the sector’s vulnerability to weather disruptions and price volatility,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in an announcement on Wednesday.
The agency attributed the weak performance to the drop in rice production, lingering impact of typhoon disruptions late last 12 months, and softer farmgate prices, which discouraged farmers from expanding production.
At current prices, the worth of production in agriculture and fisheries also fell by 2.4% 12 months on 12 months to P607.22 billion in the primary quarter from P622.06 billion previously.
CROPS, FISHERIES
Crop output, which accounted for 55.7% of the full value of agricultural production, shrank by 2.4% 12 months on 12 months to P243.62 billion in the primary quarter. This was a reversal from the 1% growth in the identical period in 2025, but barely higher than the two.6% contraction within the fourth quarter.
Palay (unmilled rice) production, which accounted for nearly 20% of total farm output, contracted by 6.3%, a reversal from the 0.3% growth in the identical quarter last 12 months.
The PSA earlier reported that first-quarter palay production dropped by 6.26% to a six-year low of 4.4 million metric tons.
Corn production also went down by 5.5% in the primary quarter, barely worse than the 5.1% drop a 12 months ago.
Declines in output were also recorded in banana (-2.7%) and sugarcane (-8%).
Meanwhile, coconut registered a 1.4% year-on-year increase in the primary quarter, an improvement from a 0.3% contraction in 2025.
Double-digit production growth was seen in tobacco (41.6%), monggo (mung bean, 37.9%), ampalaya (bitter gourd, 19.1%), potato (12.4%), and cacao (11.7%).
Output growth was also recorded in onion (6.6%), rubber (5.9%), and tomato (5.5%).
Raul Q. Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers, told BusinessWorld that the decline in agricultural output might be attributed to lower rice output.
“The palay harvested in the primary quarter of 2026 was planted within the last quarter of 2025, during which era palay prices were severely depressed. This discouraged many farmers from maintaining or expanding their production,” he said via Viber.
Mr. Montemayor said the production decline in major money crops, comparable to corn, banana, and sugarcane, further dragged overall crop output.
Former Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar also told BusinessWorld via Viber that irrigation disruption late last 12 months in major producing areas in Central Luzon also affected farm productivity.
Analysts earlier estimated that damage to a piece of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems in Nueva Ecija affected about 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of farmland.
Meanwhile, fisheries output, which accounted for 12% of overall production, also contracted by 6.1% 12 months on 12 months to P52.34 billion in the primary quarter. This was the most important annual decline for the reason that 6.7% contraction within the fourth quarter of 2022.
A drop in output was seen in major fishery commodities comparable to milkfish (-4.9%), tilapia (-2.4%), skipjack (gulyasan, -8.7%), and tiger prawn (sugpo, -2.8%).
Double-digit declines were also recorded in seaweed (-34%), mudcrab (alimango, -31.7%), big-eyed scad (matangbaka, -24.9%), blue crab (alimasag, -23.6%), yellowfin tuna (tambakol, 13.6%), and indian mackerel (alumahan, -12.9%).
Meanwhile, market staple galunggong (roundscad) increased by 48.6%. Output growth was also recorded in fimbriated sardines (tunsoy, 44.7%), bigeye tuna (tambakol, 16.7%), threadfin brim (bisugo, 12%), and grouper (lapulapu, 8.2%).
Mr. Dar said the decline in fisheries could possibly be attributed to reduced catch resulting from overfishing.
Jayson H. Cainglet, executive director of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, said smallcale fishers, who make up nearly all of the sector, are also facing increasing competition from industrial fishers.
“The fisheries sector continues to weaken following policy changes that allowed industrial vessels into the 15-kilometer municipal waters, undermining small fishers and accelerating resource pressure,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.
In 2024, the Supreme Court upheld a 2023 Malabon Court ruling, which struck down key provisions of the Fisheries Code, including municipal fishers’ preferential access to the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
POULTRY, LIVESTOCK GAINS
Meanwhile, the poultry sector, which accounted for 18.5% of total farm output, jumped by an annual 7.1% in the primary quarter to P80.83 billion. The sector’s output growth slowed from the 9.8% rise in the primary quarter of 2025.
Chicken production, which accounts for 12.7% of total farm output, recorded an annual gain of 5.8% by value.
Output growth was also seen in chicken eggs (10.6%), duck eggs(3.5%), and duck (2.9%).
Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Michael J. Garcia said the expansion in poultry is probably going driven by recent entrants out there.
“There are a number of investors within the poultry sector. There continues to be unserved demand for poultry, and including chicken egg, it stays the most affordable protein available,” he told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday.
Mr. Dar said the rise in output may be attributed to a shorter production cycle, which makes it attractive for investors to expand their operations.
“There at the moment are greater corporations involved in poultry, including those of small to medium farmers. With the shorter production cycle, the raisers are capable of adapt and, if need be, increase their enterprises,” he said.
At the identical time, livestock production grew by an annual 5.1% to P60.74 billion. The sector accounted for 13.9% of the full output.
Hog production, which accounted for 11.4% of the full farm output, rose by 6.4%, the sector’s fastest growth in almost 10 years.
Cattle and dairy production also inched up by 1.7% and 6.5%, respectively.
Meanwhile, carabao production slipped by 3.3%, while goat dropped by 5.8%.
Mr. Garcia said the surge in hog production was mainly resulting from base effects.
“It is nice that there’s growth within the sector, however it’s coming from a low base because we lost 5 million pigs resulting from the African Swine Fever (ASF),” he said.
He added that the sector’s recovery also reflects its increasing resilience to ASF.
“The large farms at the moment are learning the right way to operate with ASF, even with limited vaccine availability. Smallholders, which account for 80% of the sector, are also beginning to adapt,” Mr. Garcia said.
DECLINING INCOMES
Despite improvements in some subsectors, industry groups said the headline production figures mask worsening conditions on the farm level.
Mr. Cainglet said profitability continues to deteriorate amid rising input costs and sustained import volumes.
“Unprecedented import volumes and rising production costs are pushing Philippine agriculture toward contraction. Consequently, many farmers at the moment are considering skipping the subsequent cropping cycle, threatening supply in the approaching quarters,” he said.
Alfred Ng, vice chairman of the National Federation of Hog Raisers, said that despite the expansion within the livestock sector, particularly in swine, producers still struggle with low farmgate prices.
“With the present price of P190 to P200 per kilo, farmers are on the breakeven point, if not earning a bit of,” he told BusinessWorld via Viber.
Mr. Ng also warned that any reductions in pork import tariffs could further dampen incentives for local producers to expand.
“We just hope that the present negotiations and lobbying by each local pork importers and European Union exporters for the lowering of pork import tariffs is not going to materialize,” he said.
He added that the DA should limit and control the quantity of pork imports to further encourage local farmers to expand.
REBOUND SEEN IN Q2
Meanwhile, the DA said it expects farm output to get better within the second quarter, as rice production is predicted to enhance.
“We’re seeing encouraging signs on the bottom, with rice production likely recovering within the second quarter as planting conditions normalize, palay prices improve, and government interventions take effect,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said within the statement.
He added that the expansion within the livestock and poultry sectors should help stabilize overall output and support the domestic food supply.
Nevertheless, the DA said that rising production costs and weather risks could weigh on farm output within the second half of the 12 months.
“While we expect a stronger second quarter, the impact of upper oil prices on transport and inputs, particularly fertilizer, in addition to the potential effects of an El Niño-induced drought, could weigh on production within the second half,” Mr. Laurel said.
Mr. Laurel said the department is intensifying efforts to assist the sector get better and manage emerging headwinds.