Philippine abaca production in January to August expanded by 5.3 percent to 42,775.3 metric tons (MT), from 40,606.2 MT recorded in the same period last year, according to the Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PhilFida).
Data from the PhilFida, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, showed the Bicol region remained as the top abaca-producing province, contributing 38.4 percent of country’s total output during the eight-month period. The region’s production rose by 6.8 percent to 16,407.4 MT, from 15,357.5 MT a year ago.
Central Luzon region posted the highest hike in abaca production during the reference period. Its output expanded by a whopping 678.6 percent on an annual basis.
PhilFida data also showed export receipts from abaca in the first quarter reached $35.536 million, 12.8 percent higher than the $31.51 million recorded a year ago.
Abaca pulp accounted for the lion’s share of the earnings during the period at 69.5 percent. Export receipt from abaca pulp grew 24 percent to $24.68 million, from $19.897 million a year ago.
The United Kingdom and Germany remained the top 2 importers of local abaca pulp, accounting for 40.5 percent and 23.6 percent of shipments, respectively.
Abaca pulp exports to the UK grew by 20 percent to 2,388.414 MT, from 1,909.928 MT recorded in the same period last year.
Local abaca pulp bought by Germany in the three-month period expanded by 31.2 percent to 1,391.478 MT, from 956.887 MT recorded a year ago.
The PhilFida also revealed that revenues from abaca fiber exports in the January-to-March period expanded by 23.2 percent to $8.251 million, from $6 million a year ago.
In terms of volume, the Philippines exported 29 percent more raw abaca fiber abroad in first quarter. Shipments went up to 4,303.6 MT, from last year’s 3,336 MT.
Spain was the top importer of local abaca fiber during the period, accounting for 33.7 percent of total volume. Philippine abaca exports to Spain jumped to 1,448.8 MT, from 240 MT recorded a year ago.
Japan was the second top importer of abaca fiber accounting for 31.3 percent of total shipments. Exports of local abaca fiber to Japan increased by 3 percent to 1,346.5 MT, from 1,307.5 MT recorded a year ago.
The Philippines produces about 85 percent of the world abaca supply, which is globally known as Manila hemp.