The livestock and poultry inventory, as of January 1, 2025, showed a notable 9.75% increase compared to the previous year, rising from 2,031,314 heads in 2024 to 2,229,336 heads in 2025. This growth was primarily driven by the poultry sector, which experienced a 13.76% increase, reaching 1,919,977 heads from 1,687,775 in the previous year. The expansion in poultry numbers played a crucial role in the overall inventory growth, highlighting a shift towards increased poultry production.
On the other hand, the livestock sector saw a 9.95% decline, with total inventory dropping from 343,539 heads in 2024 to 309,359 heads in 2025. Among livestock, swine recorded the most significant drop of 21.34%. Meanwhile, carabao and goat inventories decreased slightly by 1.07% and 3.06%, respectively, while cattle showed a modest 0.61% increase.
Within the poultry sector, the increase was primarily driven by a 46.93% surge in layer chickens, growing from 555,976 heads in 2024 to 816,920 heads in 2025. However, not all poultry categories experienced growth. Broiler chicken inventory declined by 6.00%, and native chicken numbers saw a 1.93% decrease. In contrast, the duck population increased by 5.10%, reflecting moderate growth in alternative poultry farming (See Table 1 for detailed data). 

As of January 1, 2025, the livestock and poultry inventory show distinct patterns in both sectors. In the poultry sector, layer chickens accounted for the largest share at 42.55%, with 816,920 heads, followed closely by native/improved chickens, which made up 39.16% with 751,876 heads. Broilers comprised 14.35%, totaling 275,610 heads, while ducks represented the smallest portion at 3.94%, with 75,571 heads. These figures indicate that layer and native chickens dominate poultry production.

Meanwhile, in the livestock sector, swine had the highest share, making up 37.76% of the total inventory with 116,809 heads. Goats followed at 26.46%, with 81,856 heads, while cattle accounted for 24.71%, totaling 76,437 heads. Carabao had the smallest proportion, contributing 11.07%, with 34,257 heads. These figures emphasize the prominence of swine in livestock farming, with goats and cattle also playing significant roles.

The carabao inventory as of January 1, 2025, shows a notable decline compared to the previous year. The total carabao population dropped slightly by 1.07%, from 34,626 heads in 2024 to 34,257 heads in 2025.

Semi-commercial carabao farming saw a sharp decrease, with inventory plummeting by 75.41%, from 370 heads in 2024 to just 91 heads in 2025. This significant reduction indicates a major decline in semi-commercial farming operations.

In contrast, backyard carabao farming remained relatively stable, with only a 0.26% decrease, as the inventory fell from 34,256 heads in 2024 to 34,166 heads in 2025 (see Figure 3).
 

As of January 1, 2025, the cattle inventory recorded varying trends across different farm types compared to the previous year. The total cattle population saw a slight increase of 0.61%, rising from 75,970 heads in 2024 to 76,437 heads in 2025.

Backyard cattle farming showed significant growth, with inventory increasing by 9.42%, from 68,901 heads in 2024 to 75,393 heads in 2025. However, semi-commercial farms experienced a sharp decline of 93.17%, as the population dropped drastically from 6,212 heads to just 424 heads.

Similarly, commercial cattle farms saw a notable decrease of 27.65%, with inventory falling from 857 heads in 2024 to 620 heads in 2025 (see Figure 4).
 

As of January 1, 2025, the total goat population saw a slight decline, dropping from 84,444 heads in 2024 to 81,856 heads, reflecting a 3.06% decrease. This reduction was mirrored in the backyard farming sector, which remains the sole contributor to goat production, as no semi-commercial operations were recorded (refer Figure 5).

As of January 1, 2025, the total swine inventory saw a sharp decline of 21.34%, dropping from 148,499 heads in 2024 to 116,809 heads. This decline reflects a broader downturn across different swine farming sectors.

In contrast, backyard farming experienced slight growth, with the inventory rising from 79,581 in 2024 to 84,712 in 2025, reflecting a 6.44% increase. 

On the other hand, semi-commercial swine farming faced a dramatic downturn, with numbers plunging by 87.84%, dropping from 22,821 in 2024 to just 2,773 in 2025

Commercial swine farming also experienced a considerable decrease, with the inventory falling by 36.47%, from 46,097 in 2024 to 29,324 in 2025 (refer Figure 6).

As of January 1, 2025, the total chicken inventory experienced a notable increase of 14.13%, rising from 1,615,871 in 2024 to 1,844,406 in 2025.The layer chicken population saw substantial growth, increasing by 46.93%, from 555,976 in 2024 to 816,920 in 2025.

In contrast, the native chicken population declined slightly by 1.93%, dropping from 766,699 in 2024 to 751,876 in 2025. While, broiler chicken numbers also saw a decrease with a 6.00% drop from 293,196 in 2024 to 275,610 in 2025 (refer Figure 7).
 

The duck inventory in backyard farms as of January 1, 2025 saw a modest increase compared to the same period in 2024. The number of ducks rising from 71,904 in 2024 to 75,571 in 2025, reflecting a 5.10% percent increase heads (as illustrated in Figure 8).
 

Sgd. MARILYN P. VERGARA
Chief Statistical Specialist
 Ilocos Norte Provincial Statistical Office

EOJ/AAU

TECHNICAL NOTES

The Livestock and Poultry Performance Report offers a comprehensive overview of performance trends concerning the inventory of carabao, cattle, goat, swine, and various chicken breeds, as well as the production volume, including chicken eggs. This special release collates accurately gathered data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) through two primary surveys:

1.    The Backyard Livestock and Poultry Survey (BLPS), conducted on a quarterly basis, covers a comprehensive sample size of 280 households. This survey serves to capture the dynamics of livestock and poultry inventory at the household level.

2.    The Commercial Livestock and Poultry Survey (CLPS), also administered quarterly, encompasses a broader scope. It involves data collection from various animal types, including 1 carabao farm, 15 cattle farms, 17 goat farms, 7 swine farms, 4 native chicken farms, 11-layer farms, and 13 broiler commercial farms and contract growers, all as of October 1, 2024.

These surveys act as valuable tools to provide insights into the performance trends and dynamics within the livestock and poultry sectors, shedding light on crucial data points that inform decision-making processes.

An essential survey that significantly contributes to meeting the data requirements of the Livestock and Poultry sector is the Compilation of Data on Slaughterhouses and Poultry Dressing Plants (CDSPDP). Conducted on a monthly basis, this survey relies on administrative data obtained from Locally Registered Meat Establishments (LRMEs) situated within the province. This collaborative endeavor involves coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and Meat Inspectors (MIs). The CDSPDP serves as a strong tool for collecting data, providing valuable insights into the operations of these establishments. It plays a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of the sector's dynamics and performance.

•    Volume of Production (operational definition) - the number of tended/raised animals disposed for slaughter including animals shipped-out for slaughter (in “head/bird” and in “live weight equivalent”).

•    Livestock – farm animals kept or raised for consumption, work or leisure. In general, poultry is separated as a distinct group of farm animals. For purposes of census and surveys, livestock covers only those that are tended and raised by an operator.

•    Poultry - a collective term for all domesticated avian for the purpose of food consumption or, the carcass of such avian are dressed/processed for human consumption.

•    Animal Inventory (also, Animal Population) – the actual number of animals (in head/bird) present in the farm as of the specific reference date regardless of ownership.