Carabao Production in the Fourth Quarter of 2024 increases

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the volume of carabao production grew from 76.56 metric tons to 94.92 metric tons in the same period of 2024. This was a 23.98 percent increase compared to the production last year.

Meanwhile, the volume of production for other livestock declined for the period. Hog, the highest livestock production in the province, decreased by 38.45 percent, from 1,686.26 metric tons in the 4th quarter of 2023, to 1,037.88 metric tons in 2024 of the same period. Moreover, cattle experienced the highest percentage decrease among livestock at 44.03 percent or 114.27 metric tons less than the production in the fourth quarter of 2024. Goat showed a slight decrease of 11.73 percent or 4.80 metric tons.

Among livestock in Guimaras, hog documented the highest number of slaughtered livestock, however, record showed a decrease of 16.67 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Likewise, cattle and carabao noted decreases of 21.32 percent or 8 heads and 27.59 percent or 187 heads, respectively.

In addition, there were no recorded goats slaughtered in slaughter houses for both years.

Negros Occidental dominates livestock production in Western Visayas

Among the provinces in the region, Negros Occidental accounted for the highest volume of carabao production in the fourth quarter of 2024, with 51.75 percent. This was followed by Iloilo, with a contribution of 25.20 percent. Meanwhile, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan accounted for smaller portions of the total carabao production, at 8.11 percent, 6.97 percent, and 5.85 percent, respectively.

In terms of cattle production, Negros Occidental recorded the highest contribution at 32.07 percent, followed by Iloilo and Antique at 25.04 percent and 20.20 percent, respectively. Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras accounted for smaller portions at 10.96 percent, 8.64 percent, and 3.10 percent, respectively.

Moreover, hog production is dominated by Negros Occidental, producing an estimated 12,583.27 metric tons, which accounted for 47.74 percent of the region’s total hog production. Iloilo province followed producing 5,411.70 metric tons or 20.53 percent. Antique produced an estimated 3,769.38 metric tons or 14.30 percent, while Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras accounted for an estimated 2,091.51 metric tons or 7.94 percent, 1,461.53 metric tons or 5.55 percent, and 1,037.88 metric tons or 3.94 percent, respectively.

Poultry production declined in the fourth quarter of 2024

In the fourth quarter of 2024, overall poultry production decreased compared to last year. The volume of chicken produced for the period decreased by 13.22 percent, from 560.29 metric tons in 2023 to 486.22 metric tons in 2024. Consequently, the production of chicken eggs also declined by 8.96 percent, or 22.57 metric tons.

Duck production experienced a decline in the fourth quarter of 2024, by 5.74 percent, from 5.98 metric tons produced in 2023 to 5.63 metric tons in 2024 for the period. Following that, duck egg production also reduced by 0.18 metric tons, or 3.39 percent.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Livestock - Farm animals kept or raised for consumption and work. For purposes of census and surveys, livestock covers only those that are tended and raised by households and establishments.

Poultry - A collective term for all domesticated avian for the purpose of food consumption or, the carcass of such avian are processed for human consumption.

Slaughterhouse/ Poultry Dressing Plant - the premises that are approved and registered by a controlling authority in which food animals are slaughtered/dressed for human consumption.

Volume of Production - the number of tended/raised animals disposed for slaughter/dressing including animals shipped-out for slaughter/dressing (in “head/bird” and in “liveweight equivalent”).

Animal Inventory - the actual number of animals (in head/bird) present in the farm as of a specific reference date regardless of ownership.

Broiler - strains of foreign breeds of chicken, especially raised for meat purposes only.

Layer - foreign strain chicken regardless of age, raised mainly for egg production.

Native/Improved - chicken A common backyard fowl that is a mixture of native breeds and foreign breeds which includes Banaba, Bolinao, Kabir, Bantam, Paraoakan, and Heritage Chicken.