PHL abaca output seen hitting 3-year high
Barring strong typhoons, Philippine abaca output this year may expand to a 3-year high after production posted double-digit growth in the January-to-july period, according to the chief of the Philippine Fiber industry Development authority (Philfida).
Philfida executive Director Kennedy T. Costales told the Businessmirror that domestic abaca production may grow by 18.33 percent to 70,000 metric tons (MT) this year, particularly if the sector can sustain the 10.2-percent production growth rate it posted in the seven-month period.
The last time Philippine abaca production breached the 70,000MT level was in 2018, when output reached 76,259.38 MT, based on historical Philfida data.
“We pray for good weather so that our farmers will have an abundant harvest. We project that the Philippines will breach 70,000 MT by yearend, [higher] than the 61,491.67 metric tons. Output may even surpass 70,000 MT,” Costales said.
latest Philfida data showed that abaca output during the sevenmonth period grew by 10.2 percent to 38,460.04 MT from last year’s 34,880.29 MT.
“Generally, farmers and even local government units have already adjusted to the new normal. There are fewer mobility restrictions today compared to last year when farmers had difficulties transporting their harvest from their farms,” he said.
Philfida data showed that abaca output in Catanduanes province, the country’s top producer of the natural fiber, rose by 2.3 percent to 10,638.81 MT, indicating a recovery from the devastation caused by Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) last year.
Abaca production in Northern Mindanao expanded by 83.6 percent to 4,697.36 MT from last year’s 2,558.97 MT while output in Western Visayas grew by more than half to 2,084.44 MT from last year’s 1,248.65 MT, based on Philfida data.
“The output growth in Northern Mindanao is a result of our massive distribution of seedlings in the region which started four years ago. Now, we are reaping the benefits of those seedlings,” Costales said.
“We have also intensified monitoring reports to have more accurate data from the ground in areas like Western Visayas.”
Movement restrictions imposed by the government to stop the spread of Covid-19 coupled with the devastation caused by Typhoon Rolly pulled down the country’s abaca output last year to a 7-year low.
Philfida data obtained and analyzed by the Businessmirror showed that abaca production last year declined by 11.94 percent to 61,491.67 MT from the 69,828.8 MT recorded in 2019. Historical Philfida data, dating back to 1980, showed that this is the lowest abaca output by the country since the 55,958 MT recorded in 2013.
The Philippines is the world’s top producer and exporter of abaca, accounting for about 84 percent of global market share.