Western Visayas hog production jumps 40.1% in second quarter

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Hog production in Western Visayas rose 40.1% in the second quarter of 2026 to 17,424 metric tons from 12,440 metric tons a year earlier, according to preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

The increase of 4,984 metric tons was the only growth recorded among the region’s major livestock commodities during the period.

The PSA measures livestock production in metric tons of live weight, covering animals raised and disposed of for slaughter, including those shipped elsewhere for slaughter.

The production increase coincided with higher slaughterhouse activity, with 118,276 hogs slaughtered across the region from April to June, up 42.5% from 83,014 during the same period in 2025.

As of July 1, the region’s swine inventory stood at 258,309 head, with Antique accounting for the largest share at 33.9%, followed by Iloilo at 29.8% and Aklan at 19.3%.

Capiz accounted for 11.4%, while Guimaras contributed 5.6%.

Inventory refers to the number of animals present on farms on a specific reference date.

Other livestock production declines

The increase in hog production contrasted with declines in the other major livestock commodities.

Carabao production fell 1.1% to 1,827 metric tons from 1,847 metric tons a year earlier.

Cattle production declined 9.8% to 2,782 metric tons from 3,083 metric tons.

Goat production dropped by a reported 10.7% to 643 metric tons from 719 metric tons.

Slaughterhouse activity increased for carabaos and goats despite the declines in production.

The number of carabaos slaughtered rose 9.6% to 4,050 from 3,694, while goat slaughtering increased 60.9% to 523 from 325.

Cattle slaughtering declined 10.7% to 8,262 from 9,252 during the same period last year.

Iloilo leads carabao, goat inventories

Iloilo accounted for the largest shares of the region’s carabao and goat inventories but ranked behind Antique in cattle population.

The province accounted for 46.1% of the region’s 117,788 carabaos and 43% of its 135,936 goats.

Iloilo held 31.2% of the region’s 136,090 cattle, behind Antique’s 33.4% share.