Data gathered at the start of African swine flu situation

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) found there was a two percent rise in hog production nationwide, up to 551,620 metric tons this year from 541,030 metric tons in 2018. However, the data in the recently-released report was gathered between July and September, towards the beginning of the ongoing African swine flu issue.
Central Luzon was found to have recorded the highest swine inventory with 2.1 million heads.
Notably, it was in early September when Agriculture Secretary William Dar confirmed they found 14 out of 20 blood samples had tested positive for African swine fever and among the areas sampled included Bulacan.
The Western Visayas, meanwhile, tallied the third-highest in terms of hog inventory with 1.27 million heads, behind Calabarzon with 1.57 million.
Among other reports released by PSA, chicken saw an 8.5 percent rise in production, up to 465,150 metric tons from the 428,770 figures recorded last year.
Central Luzon and Calabarzon topped the inventory list again, with their combined output comprising 32.5 percent of the entire country’s supply./WDJ