In the third quarter of 2024, Western Visayas marked coconut as its foremost crop, achieving a production volume of 136,549 metric tons, as per the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 6. This figure represents a 3.9% decrease from the previous year's 142,057 metric tons. Sugarcane production witnessed a significant drop of 92.2%, with a production of 94,195 metric tons, primarily from Negros Occidental, contributing nearly the entirety of the regional output.
Conversely, certain crops saw upward trends during the same period. Cassava's production marginally increased by 0.1%, totaling 7,933 metric tons. Pineapple and eggplant production rose by 2.2% and 21.3%, respectively, with eggplant production reaching 4,267 metric tons. Banana production led the fruit sector with 56,757 metric tons, with notable contributions from Negros Occidental and Iloilo.
Negros Occidental emerged as a key player in vegetable and root crop production, notably in sweet potato and cassava, with significant shares in total production volumes. However, some crops like mango and calamansi experienced slight declines in their production volumes. The data also highlighted the contribution of provinces like Aklan and Iloilo in non-food crops such as abaca and cacao, respectively, showcasing the agricultural diversity and challenges within the region.
Source: Panay News