The country’s abaca production reached 20,8063.06 metric tons (MT) in January to April, 0.7 percent lower than the 21,017.2 MT recorded last year, according to the latest data from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFida).
Data from the PhilFida showed that top producers of abaca, including Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao posted cuts in output during the period.
The Bicol region remained as the top producer of abaca in the first four months of the year, accounting for nearly 41 percent of national output. Abaca produced in the region rose by 2 percent to 8,522.12 MT, from 8,355.62 MT in January to April 2016.
Davao region was the second top abaca producer, accounting for 15.3 percent of output during the period. The region’s abaca production went up by 7 percent to 3,202 MT, from 2,991.45 MT a year ago.
The abaca output of Eastern Visayas, the third-biggest producer of the crop, declined by 5.7 percent to 2,959.5 MT, from 3,139.37 MT recorded in January to April 2016. The region accounted for nearly 15 percent of national abaca output.
Among all the abaca-producing regions, Southern Tagalog registered the biggest jump in output at 70.8 percent. The region’s production reached almost 47 MT in the first four months of the year.
Other regions that reported increases in abaca production are Zamboanga Peninsula (12.4 percent), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (10.1 percent) and Central Luzon.
Last year abaca production rose by 5.7 percent to 62,008.64 MT in 2016, from 58,665.81 MT in 2015, as farmers took advantage of the demand for the crop in the country’s major export markets.
PhilFida data also showed that earnings from abaca exports fell by 1.5 percent to $10.86 million in January, from $11.03 million a year ago.
Shipments of abaca pulp accounted for the bulk of export receipts at $7.46 million. The figure is slightly higher than the $7.42 million posted in January 2016.
Earnings from fibercraft exports recorded the biggest drop in January at 82.6 percent to $124,644. Shipments of cordage also declined by 60 percent to $379,432, from $948,728
posted last year.