Sugarcane Drives Strong Q1 2025 Crop Production in W. Visayas

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Western Visayas experienced robust growth in its agricultural sector during the first quarter of 2025, primarily led by a significant surge in sugarcane production, according to a June 20 special release from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office VI.

The report excluded figures from Negros Occidental due to the “Negros Island Act” (Republic Act No. 12000).

Sugarcane maintained its position as the region’s top crop, demonstrating remarkable growth of 54.5%. Production soared from 743,884 metric tons (MT) in Q1 2024 to 1,148,965 MT in Q1 2025.

Several other key crops also saw increases in output. Coconut production rose by 0.5% to 112,249 MT, Watermelon by 1.6% to 37,428 MT, and Tomato by 0.8% to 7,968 MT.

Significant growth was also noted for Mango, which increased by 6.0% to 7,092 MT, Cassava by 1.2% to 4,648 MT, and Jackfruit, Young by 0.5% to 2,945 MT.

However, not all crops posted gains. Banana, which stands as the region’s third-highest crop by production volume, experienced a 1.3% decline, falling from 52,113 MT in Q1 2024 to 51,448 MT in the same period this year. Sweet Potato production also decreased by 6.0% to 9,119 MT, and Squash fruit saw a 1.8% reduction to 2,851 MT.

Iloilo Province emerged as a dominant force in regional crop production for Q1 2025:

• It contributed a massive 76.0% of the regional sugarcane harvest, totaling 872,985 MT, with Capiz and Antique accounting for the remaining 24.0%.
• Iloilo also held the largest share in Banana production at 67.7% of the regional total.
• The province accounted for nearly all of the region’s Watermelon (97.8%), Pineapple (99.2%), and Melon (99.2%) production.
• For major Vegetable and Root Crops (VRC), Iloilo’s share ranged from 45.8% to 94.9% of the region’s output, excluding Mungbean. Specifically, it contributed 71.3% of Sweet Potato and 94.9% of Tomato production.
• Iloilo also made substantial contributions to Cassava (45.8%), Jackfruit (young) (62.8%), Squash fruit (58.2%), Eggplant (75.2%), Alugbati (62.7%), and more than four-fifths (83.2%) of Cacao production.

Other provinces also showed strong specialization:

• Antique Province led in Coconut production, contributing 36.0% of the region’s 112,249 MT total, and also topped Mungbean (Monggo) production with a 55.1% share.
• Aklan Province contributed nearly all (93.3%) of the region’s Abaca production.
• Guimaras Province had the highest output for Mango (55.7% of 7,092 MT) and Calamansi (54.6% of 1,335 MT) production.

The region demonstrated significant contributions to the Philippines’ overall crop production volume in Q1 2025:

• Western Visayas ranked 1st nationally for Watermelon, contributing 69.3% of the country’s supply, and for Jackfruit, Young, contributing 27.8%.
• The region secured 3rd place nationally for Sweet Potato (10.4%), Sugarcane (9.5%), Tomato (7.9%), and Mango.
• Other notable national rankings included Squash Fruit at 5th (5.4%), Banana at 8th (2.6%), Cassava at 10th (1.0%), and Coconut at 11th (3.6%).