Philippine agriculture faces production decline as weather and disease impact yields

Philippine agriculture faced a 3.7% decline in production in the third quarter of 2024, dropping to P397.43 billion from P412.7 billion a year earlier. This marks the second consecutive contraction, following a slight increase of 0.2% in the first quarter. The decline is attributed to harsh weather and the ongoing impact of African swine fever, particularly affecting hog production. Crop output fell by 5.1%, with palay production down 12.3%. Livestock production also decreased by 6.7%. Experts predict that agricultural output will continue to decline through the end of 2024 due to recent typhoons and adverse weather conditions. This situation may lead to lower carryover stocks for 2025, despite potential imports.