Carabao production in Ilocos Region decreased by 7.9 percent

The carabao production in IIocos Region was recorded at 1,960 metric tons, liveweight in first quarter 2024. This shows a decrease of 7.9 percent from the 2,130 metric tons liveweight output in the same period of 2023.

Across regions in the country, Ilocos Region ranked 7th in terms of carabao production in first quarter 2024. The region contributed 6.9 percent to the national production of 28,584 metric tons, liveweight.

Pangasinan has the highest carabao production in first quarter 2024 with output of 1,091 metric tons, liveweight. This is 55.7 percent of the region’s carabao production. Ilocos Norte came next with 370 metric tons, liveweight contributing 18.9 percent to the total carabao production in the region. Ilocos shared 14.7 percent to the regional production with 288 metric tons output. Meanwhile, La Union has the smallest share at 211 metric tons or 10.7 percent.

Carabao population in Ilocos Region decreases as of 01 April 2024

The total headcount of carabao in Ilocos Region as of 01 January 2024 was 141,612 heads. It showed a decrease of 6.2 percent compared to the inventory of 151,038 heads as of 01 January 2023. Likewise, carabao inventory as of 01 April 2024 registered a decline of 0.4 percent over the 2023 level of the same reference date (Table 1).

Increases in carabao population as of 01 January 2024 were noted in Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte by 6.5 percent, and 0.03 percent, respectively. On the other hand, Pangasinan and La Union posted decreases in inventory by 16.2 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.

As of 01 April 2024, only the province of Ilocos Sur showed increased population of 8.0 percent compared to the total headcount recorded in 2023 of the same reference date. Pangasinan, La Union, and Ilocos Norte declined by 13.4 percent, 4.5 percent, and 0.3 percent, respectively.

Farmgate Price

The average farmgate price of carabao for slaughter in first quarter 2024 was PhP226.90 per kilogram, liveweight. This is higher by 13.5 percent from the average farmgate price of PhP199.95 per kilogram, liveweight in first quarter 2023.

The highest farmgate price recorded in first quarter 2024 was PhP227.50 per kilogram, liveweight in February and March.

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN
Regional Director, RSSO I