The Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector saw a minimal growth in the first quarter of 2024, according to data released Wednesday by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The PSA reported a year-on-year increase of just 0.05 percent in the value of production at constant 2018 prices, reaching P428.99 billion.
Growth was noted in poultry production, the PSA said, but there were declines in crops, livestock and fisheries output.
Crop production, which makes up 57.6 percent of the sector’s total value, declined by 0.3 percent annually. Rice production specifically fell by 2.0 percent.
Livestock production, representing 13.9 percent of the sector’s value, contracted 3.6 percent. Hog production saw a steeper decline of 4.3 percent.
Poultry output, however, increased by 5.9 percent, contributing 16.0 percent to the total value. The PSA reported increments in the value of production for all poultry commodities except duck eggs.
Fisheries production, which makes up 12.5 percent of the sector, contracted by 1.3 percent.
The agriculture and fisheries sector accounts for a tenth of the country’s gross domestic product.
