Farm sector grows 2.6% in 2025, highest in 5 years

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January 29, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The value of the country’s agricultural output (at constant 2018 prices) rose by 2.6 percent on an annual basis to almost P1.8 trillion, the highest in five years, on the back of expansions in the crops and poultry subsectors.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that agriculture and fisheries output last year was valued at P1.77 trillion, up from the P1.73 trillion recorded in 2024.

Historical PSA data showed that it marked the fourth consecutive year that farm output grew since 2021. The 2.6-percent increase surpassed the Department of Agriculture’s target of one to two percent growth last year and was also the highest growth rate in five years.

“This is a proof that despite all the challenges – both in terms of changing weather and disease outbreaks – the sector remains resilient and showed good performance,” Department of Agriculture assistant secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said in a press briefing yesterday.

The crops subsector rose by almost three percent year-on-year to P986.8 billion from P960.19 billion, according to PSA. The poultry subsector grew by nine percent to a record high of P304 billion, making it the “most vibrant” subsector of agriculture, De Mesa said.

Meanwhile, the livestock subsector continues to struggle in regaining its footing against animal diseases as it fell by 2.32 percent on an annual basis last year, marking the second year of contraction. Value of livestock output was estimated at P246 billion, down from P252 billion in 2024.

Fisheries output remained relatively flat at P233 billion versus P234 billion in 2024.

De Mesa said the full-year growth of farm output last year could have been higher if not for the typhoons that affected domestic production in the fourth quarter.

PSA data showed that agricultural output in the fourth quarter inched up by 0.5 percent year-on-year, the lowest growth rate across the four quarters last year.

The DA pointed out that crops remain the backbone of the country’s agriculture as well as its weakest link in terms of climate risks.

The value of crop output in the fourth quarter alone fell by 2.5 percent to P274 billion due to weather disturbances.

The DA hopes to sustain the 2.6 percent growth this year by ensuring timely and efficient use of its P215-billion budget.

“We are now laying the groundwork for a smarter, climate-resilient agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, referring to the department’s plans to further invest in cold storages, drying facilities, greenhouses and smart irrigation.

“The goal is to temper weather shocks, stabilize supply and smooth food prices for both producers and consumers,” Tiu Laurel added. –  Christine Boton