By Mariela Angella Oladive
ILOILO CITY — Iloilo emerged as the top producer of major fruit crops in Western Visayas for the second quarter of 2024, according to a recent report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Among the region’s four major fruit crops—mango, pineapple, banana, and calamansi—Iloilo recorded the highest production for mango and pineapple and the second-highest for banana and calamansi.
The province contributed 44.7% of the total 56,972 metric tons (MT) of mango produced in the region, outperforming Guimaras (29.7%) and Negros Occidental (21%).
Iloilo also led in pineapple production, accounting for 67.3% of the total 7,244 MT produced, with Negros Occidental trailing at 29.2%.
For banana production, the province contributed 34.6% of the regional total of 61,305 MT, second only to Negros Occidental’s 38.1%.
Meanwhile, in calamansi production, Iloilo provided 33.4% of the region’s 654 MT, following Guimaras, which accounted for 53.9%.
In the production of major non-food and industrial crops, Iloilo produced 4.9% of the region’s total sugarcane output of 640,320 MT, ranking second to Negros Occidental’s dominant 94.8%.
For coconut production, Iloilo contributed 15.4% of the region’s 146,163 MT, ranking fourth after Negros Occidental, Antique, and Capiz.
Additionally, Iloilo’s share in the production of abaca, tobacco, cacao, and coffee was minimal, with the province contributing less than 3% to the region’s total output.
