Local abaca production continued to grow in the first four months of the year, increasing by 7.9 percent to 22.4 million kilos.
The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) said the Bicol region remained the country’s top producer, accounting for 38 percent of total output or 8.5 million kilos, up 44 percent from 5.90 million kilos in the same period a year ago.
Bicol was followed by the Davao region with 3.43 million kilos or 15.4 percent of the country’s total output, down 16.1 percent from the same period last year.
Growth in volume was most pronounced in Bicol, Western Visayas and Central Visayas while decreases were seen in Cental Luzon and Soccskargen.
Production from Western Visayas jumped by 44.9 percent to 1.08 million kilos, while output from Central Visayas surged by 44.9 percent to 88.925 kilos.
On the other hand, output in Central Luzon fell by 78.2 percent to 1,437 kilos.
Soccskargen output, meanwhile, dropped by 23.1 percent to 489,000 kilos.
Latest data from Fida showed that last year, the United Kingdom, Japan and Spain remained the biggest markets for Philippine abaca, accounting for a combined 59 percent.
Other countries that import local abaca include China (1.07 million kilos), Egypt (90,000 kilos), India (22,500 kilos) and Indonesia (15,000 kilos).