Author: DA Press Office | January 28, 2026

The Philippines’ agricultural output increased by 2.6% year-on-year to P1.77 trillion in 2025. This was a significant increase despite some weather-related setbacks in the last quarter of the year.

The growth rate in 2025 was the highest in the past five years.

Crop production was hit the hardest. In the fourth quarter, the value of agricultural products, including rice and corn, fell 2.5 percent to P274.3 billion as turbulent weather hampered harvests. However, for the full year, crop production increased by 2.8% to P986.8 billion, accounting for 56% of total agricultural production. This data highlights a common vulnerability: crops remain the backbone of agriculture and are the weakest link when climate risks increase.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government is moving from response to resilience. “We are now laying the foundations for smarter, climate-resilient agriculture,” he said, citing investments in cold storage, drying facilities, silos, improved rice processing systems, greenhouses and smart irrigation. The goal is to cushion the effects of weather, stabilize supplies and smooth out food prices for both producers and consumers.

Elsewhere, performance was mixed. Livestock production in the fourth quarter rose 1% to P68.4 billion, mainly driven by pigs, but declined 2.3% to P246.4 billion for the full year, reflecting lingering structural challenges in the sector.

The pig sector recorded a growth of 1.6% in the fourth quarter, the first expansion since the ASF outbreak, indicating a sustained recovery.

Poultry stood out as a bright spot this year. Production in the fourth quarter rose 8.9% to P78.2 billion, while full-year production rose 9.1% to P304.7 billion, with increases in almost every commodity except duck eggs. Poultry currently accounts for approximately 16% of total agricultural output and has emerged as an important growth engine.

On the other hand, the fishing industry increased by 4% to 66.1 billion pesos in the fourth quarter, but decreased slightly by 0.3% to 233.7 billion pesos at the end of the year.

The point is clear. Growth is sustained, but climate change is hitting a plateau. If we don’t adapt sooner, agriculture’s gains risk literally being washed away by the next storm. ### (From DA – File photo via OSEC communication and AFID)