Agri output dwindles to 8-year low in 2024

The value of the country's agriculture and fisheries output fell by 2.2 percent to P1.725 trillion in 2024, the lowest in eight years as unfavorable weather conditions and pests curbed production nationwide, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

PSA data showed that the combined value was the lowest since the P1.722 trillion recorded in 2016 and was also 2.2 percent lower than 2023's P1.76 trillion.

The data also showed that the rate of decline in the value of the agriculture and fisheries production last year was the steepest since 2000 when the time series began.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) attributed the decline to the ill effects of extreme weather conditions as well as pests and diseases last year that resulted in cumulative losses of P57 billion in the agriculture and fisheries sector.

At least 1.4 million farmers incurred P57.78 billion in losses last year after 2.18 million metric tons (MT) of their production were damaged by El Niño, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, pests and diseases, according to the DA.