The province of Negros Occidental posted an increase in poultry production in 2024, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

From January to December last year, chicken production reached 43,652.25 metric tons (MT), 8.18 percent higher from the 40,350.82 MT in 2023.

The province also produced 21.11 percent more eggs in 2024, totaling 15,603.60 MT compared to the 2023 production of 12,883.75 MT.

On the other hand, duck production dipped to 712.97 MT in 2024, or 2.82 percent lower than 733.65 MT in 2023.

Duck eggs naturally decreased by 5.42 percent, from 1,890.89 MT in 2023 to 1,788.37 MT last year.

In 2024, total livestock production in Negros Occidental, including hog, carabao, cattle and goat, decreased by 17.19 percent or 61,805.77 MT from 74,633.05 MT in 2023.

Hog production had the biggest decline, at 23.38 percent, or 44,581.63 MT in 2024 from 58,182.10 MT in 2023.

“Contributing to the decrease was a notable decline in production for swine due to the effects of hog cholera and African swine fever in the province,” the PSA said.

Meanwhile, goat production reached 2,681.46 MT, slightly lower by 1.38 percent against 2023 production of 2,718.91 MT.

However, carabao and cattle increased by 6.66 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.

Last year’s carabao production totaled 9,515.59 MT, from 8,921.51 MT in 2023; while the province produced 5,027.09 MT of cattle in 2024, from only 4,810.53 MT in 2023.

The PSA livestock and poultry production data were generated based on the results of the Commercial Livestock and Poultry Survey and Backyard Livestock and Poultry Survey conducted quarterly. (PNA)