By Francis Allan L. Angelo
The fourth quarter of 2023 was a period of stark contrasts in the agricultural sector of Western Visayas, according to detailed statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Still reeling from the African Swine Fever infection, the hog industry faced a significant setback, with production plummeting by 44.0 percent, from 54,389.55 metric tons in the previous year to a mere 30,455.07 metric tons.
Carabao production suffered a marginal decrease of 0.3 percent, a relatively small figure compared to the drastic downturn in hog numbers. In a contrasting light, cattle producers had a slight cause for celebration, as their output modestly increased by 1.1 percent, reaching 5,170.91 metric tons.
The goat sector had more pronounced success, with a 7.1 percent surge in production. From 1,794.92 metric tons in the previous year, goat production rose to 1,923.10 metric tons, hinting at a resilient, if niche, component of the livestock industry.
The number of livestock processed in slaughterhouses also shifted.
Hogs saw a 9.3 percent reduction, carabao slaughtering dipped by 0.7 percent, and the cattle numbers fell significantly by 19.2 percent.
Goats, continuing their positive trend, saw a 2.8 percent increase in the number slaughtered.
INVENTORY
As of January 1, 2024, the carabao inventory stood at 243,151 heads, with Negros Occidental and Iloilo leading the count.
Cattle numbers were also robust at 231,140 heads, with the largest populations found in Iloilo, followed by Negros Occidental and Antique. The goat inventory numbered 364,730 heads, with more than half residing in Negros Occidental.
The swine inventory totaled 646,776 heads, with Negros Occidental holding the majority at 63.9 percent, followed by contributors Iloilo and Capiz.
GROWING POULTRY
In stark contrast to the woes of hog farmers, poultry production enjoyed a season of growth.
Chicken production soared by 11.3 percent to 35,302.02 metric tons. Duck production, though a smaller industry, also saw an increase of 1.0 percent.
The surge in chicken eggs was significant at 17.1 percent, while duck eggs experienced a 5.7 percent decline.
The number of chickens dressed in dressing plants reflected this growth, with a notable 20.3 percent increase to 15,162,840 birds.
The chicken inventory as of January 1, 2024, stood strong at 19,842,124 birds, with the lion’s share in Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
Broiler chickens were counted at 5,760,760 birds, predominantly in the same regions. Layer chickens totaled 1,504,829 birds, again with Iloilo and Negros Occidental leading the contribution.
Native and improved chickens dominated the poultry landscape with 12,576,535 birds, accounting for 63.4 percent of the total chicken inventory. Duck numbers were also noteworthy at 1,064,480 birds, with major populations in Iloilo and Negros Occidental.
