Agri output likely fell in Q3 led by fisheries; ASF concerns continue

AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT is estimated to have slowed or fallen in the third quarter after a sharp drop in fisheries volume, with analysts and industry officials also skeptical of the performance of the hog industry due to the continuing African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

- By Andre Christopher H. Alampay

If borne out, their worries about the third quarter would check the momentum gained a quarter earlier, when output rose 5.7% year on year, the strongest performance in eight years.

Nevertheless, the crops subsector is expected to turn in a positive performance, despite the impact of typhoons and flooding during the period.

Former Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said via Viber that crop output likely rose 1% despite the typhoons and two major earthquakes in Cebu and the Davao region.

“The growth would have been higher if not for these challenges and problems... farmers continue with dedication to plant rice,” he said.

He credits the Masagana Rice Industry Program and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund in supporting farmers and farm production during this quarter.

Federation of Free Farmers National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said via Messenger that output of palay (unmilled rice) will likely rise during the period, coming off a low year-earlier base of 3.33 million metric tons (MMT).