Data from the Philippine Department of Agriculture indicates that agricultural output decreased by 2.84% in the first quarter due to drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon, primarily due to declines in crop and fishery production.
However, the extent of the decline was not as severe as predicted by economists. Crop production accounts for nearly half of agricultural output, with major crops experiencing declines: rice production fell by 11.41%, and corn production decreased by 16.76%.
Although production of coconuts, tobacco, cassava, onions, and mangoes increased, it was insufficient to offset the losses in rice and corn.
Fishery production, which accounts for 24.84% of agricultural output, declined by 3.5%. Livestock production, which makes up 12.28% of agricultural output, fell by 3.7%.
