For the first six months of the year, agriculture grew by 2.40 percent. The major growth boosters were corn, sugarcane, mango, chicken and municipal fisheries. Gross value of agriculture production at current prices amounted to P317.7 billion representing a 6.34 percent growth.

 

The crops subsector posted a 1.16 percent output increment compared to last year's level. Except for palay and coffee, the major crops indicated output gains during the reference period. Corn recovered from last year's negative growth and recorded a 5.82 percent increase. On the other hand, an 18.78 percent surge in sugarcane production was reported. Crops output was valued at P158.0 billion at current prices or 6.16 percent higher than last year's record.

The livestock subsector's production was higher by 3.34 percent this year. The main source of growth was hog which registered a 4.11 percent increase. The subsector's gross receipts of P53.9 billion was equivalent to a 2.90 percent expansion from the level recorded during the same period in 2002. The poultry subsector generated 4.86 percent more output during the first half of 2003. Improvements in production were observed for chicken meat as well as chicken eggs. The subsector grossed P45.0 billion at current prices or 11.36 percent higher than in 2002.

The fisheries subsector had a 2.91 percent expansion in output during the period. All components showed production increases with municipal fisheries indicating the highest growth rate of 5.51 percent. At current prices, the estimated value of gross fisheries production amounted to P60.8 billion, representing a 6.43 percent gain over last year's level.

Farmgate prices in agriculture recorded an average increase of 3.85 percent for the period January to June 2003. The poultry subsector posted the highest average price gain of 6.19 percent. Prices of crops rose by 4.95 percent. Bigger price increases were noted for tomato, rubber, pineapple, onion and coffee. Fishery products went up by 3.43 percent. The livestock subsector suffered from an average price cut of 0.43 percent.