Data released by the Philippine Department of Agriculture on the 17th shows that, affected by the El Niño phenomenon, the Philippines' agricultural output in the first quarter of this year fell by 2.84%.
The data indicates that food crops, which account for nearly half of the Philippines' agricultural output, saw a production decline of 6.15% in the first quarter, with rice production falling by 11.41% and corn production by 16.76%. Since corn is the primary source of feed for livestock and poultry, the decline in corn production may impact future livestock output.
The El Niño phenomenon has ravaged the entire Philippines from last winter through this spring. Currently, the persistent drought has affected 23 provinces in the Philippines, causing 12 billion pesos (approximately 266 million USD) in economic losses to the country's agriculture.
