During the reference period, the total agricultural output of SOCCSKSARGEN Region decreased by about 0.6 percent from 7.46 million in 2022 to 7.42 million metric tons in 2023. 

Crops, which accounted for 93.0 percent of the total agricultural production, went up by 0.3 percent for a total of 6.90 million metric tons in 2023 from 6.88 million metric tons the previous year. Palay, with a share of 18.2 percent on crops subsector, went up by 1.0 percent; Corn increased by 0.9%; Coconut, Rubber Cuplump and Banana posted production cut of 0.5 percent, 16.9 percent, and 1.2 percent, respectively. Coffee recorded a decrease of 4.8 percent. 

The livestock subsector, with a share 1.7 percent to the total regional agricultural output in 2023, posted a double digit decreased by 19.0 percent from 155.11 thousand metric tons in 2022 to 125.63 thousand metric tons in 2023. All animal types posted decreases in production except for cattle which increased by 0.3 percent. Hogs   shared 78.2 percent to the total livestock production.

The poultry subsector, with a share of 1.7 percent to the total agricultural output, produced 0.3 percent more output this year, from 128.03 thousand metric tons the previous year to 128.45 thousand metric tons the current year. Among the poultry products, chicken eggs posted the highest increase at 17.9 percent followed by duck, 6.6 percent. In contrast chicken and duck eggs posted a negative growth of 5.2 percent and 2.6 percent. 

The fisheries subsector, with a share of 3.6 percent to the total agricultural output, posted a decreased of 8.5 percent compared to last year’s output levels. Commercial fishing, which accounted for 76.7 percent of the region’s total fish catch, decreased by 10.1 percent as there was lesser unloading of frozen tuna particularly in the second quarter of the reference period. Likewise, aquaculture decreased by 12.9 percent. On the other hand, municipal fishing slightly increases by 0.7 percent respectively.

Among the major fish species, Yellowfin tuna and roundscad posted significant increases of 45.7 percent and 28.6 percent, respectively. Likewise, Tilapia and Big-eyed scad increased by 28.6 percent and 11.1 percent. However, the production of Skipjack and P. Vannamei decreased by 21.9 percent and 23.9 percent, respectively.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Crop Production 

• The quantity produced and actually harvested for a particular crop during the reference period. 

• It includes those measured but damaged, stolen, given away, consumed, given as harvesters’ share, and reserved. 

• Excluded are those produced but not harvested for whatever reason. 

Livestock & Poultry Volume of Production - refers to the volume of indigenous (locally-raised) animals disposed for slaughter which include animals exported or shipped-out for slaughter (in “head” and in “live weight equivalent”).

Fisheries Volume of Production - total weight in metric tons of the species from commercial, municipal, aquaculture  and inland fisheries.