Domestic output of abaca jumped by 6.8 percent year-on-year in the first semester of 2016 with a total of about 30.9 million kilos, despite the worst effects of the El Niño phenomenon felt during the period.
According to the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida), the Bicol region remained the country’s top producer with 38 percent of total output or 11.9 million kilos.
Fiber production from Bicol saw a 9.5-percent year-on-year increase from 10.8 million kilos in the same period last year.
Output growth rates of double digits or better from the regions of Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, Eastern Visayas and Davao helped firm up growth in total volume.
Production from Davao surged 13 percent to 4.9 million kilos; Eastern Visayas by 18 percent to 4.6 million kilos; Western Visayas by 103 percent to 1.1 million kilos; and Soccsksargen by 55 percent to 895,000 kilos.
Also, exports of abaca-based products revved up by 28 percent year-on-year to $31.5 million in the first quarter, Fida data show.
These include pulp, cordage, fabrics, fibercraft and raw fiber. For fiber alone, the value of outbound shipments increased by 17 percent to $6 million.
Also, export earnings from pulp and fibercraft surged, respectively increasing by 44 percent to $19.9 million and 76 percent to $3.4 million.
On the other hand, earnings from cordage plunged by 41 percent to $2.1 million while those from fabrics fell 61 percent to about $130,000.
Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol a P100-million support fund meant to help revive the abaca industry in Southern Leyte had been made available to beneficiaries in Sogod town where production of the fiber is the main trade.