ILOILO City – Western Visayas recorded coconut as its leading crop (excluding palay and corn) in the third quarter of 2024, with a production volume of 136,549 metric tons.
Despite this dominance, however, coconut output declined by 3.9% compared to the same period in 2023 (142,057 metric tons), data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 6 showed.
Sugarcane production also fell drastically by 92.2%, registering 94,195 metric tons, predominantly from Negros Occidental, which contributed nearly 100% of the regional total.
Gains in Cassava, Pineapple, and Eggplant
Some crops exhibited growth during the quarter.
Cassava posted a slight increase of 0.1%, reaching 7,933 metric tons, while pineapple production rose by 2.2% to 4,851 metric tons.
Eggplant recorded the highest growth rate at 21.3%, reaching 4,267 metric tons. Ampalaya followed with a 6.9% increase.
Fruit Crop Highlights: Bananas Lead in Volume
Banana remained the top fruit crop in the region, with a total production of 56,757 metric tons.
Negros Occidental contributed 46.2% of the total, followed by Iloilo at 27.3%.
Pineapple, mango, and calamansi also showed significant contributions from Iloilo, which led mango and pineapple production with 77.9% and 67.2% shares, respectively.
Negros Leads in Vegetables and Root Crops
Negros Occidental played a dominant role in vegetable and root crop production. Sweet potato (camote) topped this category with 8,413 metric tons, of which Negros Occidental accounted for 51%.
The region also produced 7,933 metric tons of cassava, with the province contributing nearly half.
Challenges and Declines
Other major crops, including mango, calamansi, and sweet potato, showed minor declines.
Mango production dropped by 1.1%, while calamansi decreased by 3.1%.
The reduction in coconut production, despite its regional dominance, underscores challenges in sustaining yields for the region’s primary crops.
Provincial Contributions to Non-Food Crops
Among non-food crops, Aklan dominated abaca production, contributing 84% of the 584 metric tons. Iloilo led cacao production with 42.5%, while Negros Occidental accounted for 62.5% of the 3 metric tons of coffee produced in the region.
The figures show the region’s diverse agricultural profile and the critical role of each province in maintaining its status as an agricultural hub./PN
