HIGHLIGHTS

Agriculture grew by 2.02 percent during the first three months of 2009. All the subsectors registered output gains. With the sustained increase in chicken production, the poultry subsector recorded the biggest gain during the reference period. The livestock subsector bounced back from last year's slump with the recovery of hog production. The fisheries subsector maintained its growth record while the crops subsector experienced a slowdown in production. At current prices, the sector grossed P309.3 billion or 10.43 percent more than the 2008 level.

The crops subsector recorded a 0.61 percent increase in production during the first quarter of 2009. Production of palay went up by 5.13 percent while that of corn went down by 3.39 percent. Among the commodities in the subsector, the big gainers were banana, pineapple, tobacco, cassava and tomato. Crop production represented 48.95 percent of the total agricultural output. The subsector grossed P172.7 billion at current prices, up by 11.02 percent compared to last year's record.

The livestock subsector made a turnaround this year with output increasing by 2.37 percent. This was boosted by the production increments in cattle and hog farms. The subsector accounted for 11.82 percent of total agricultural output. At current prices, the subsector grossed P46.7 billion, representing an 11.07 percent increment during the first quarter of 2009.

The poultry subsector expanded by 4.08 percent during the first quarter of 2009. There were significant increases in the production of chicken by 4.25 percent and chicken eggs by 5.28 percent. The subsector contributed 15.18 percent to total agricultural production. At current prices, the subsector's gross output was valued at P36.6 billion or 11.77 percent more than the 2008 level.

The fisheries subsector grew by 3.49 percent in the first three months of the year. Municipal fisheries surpassed its last year's performance and expanded by 4.79 percent. Aquaculture registered a 3.88 percent increase in production. Commercial fisheries came up with 1.27 percent more output this year. The subsector shared 24.05 percent in the total agricultural output. Gross earnings from the fisheries subsector amounted to P53.3 billion at current prices indicating a 7.19 percent increase from last year's level.

On the average, farmgate prices appreciated by 8.25 percent during the reference period. The crops subsector sustained its price uptrend and in this quarter, another 10.34 percent hike was recorded. Prices in the livestock and poultry subsectors moved up by 8.50 percent and 7.39 percent, respectively. The average increase in the prices of fishery products was 3.57 percent.