MANILA -- The country's July-September production of skipjack grew further in 2017 despite Philippine fisheries sub-sector's general downturn then.
This year's skipjack production volume reached almost 61,000 metric tons - up from the 59,000 metric tons in 2016, according to the latest available Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
"The 3.22 percent growth in skipjack production was traced to more unloadings of commercial fishing boats from neighboring landing centers in General Santos City fish ports because of higher prices," noted PSA.
More suppliers from Bicol Region, Bataan and Samar boosted skipjack unloadings in Metro Manila, PSA continued.
However, PSA data show skipjack's average farm gate price dipped to PhP64.63 per kg this year from PhP65.95 per kg in 2016.
"The reduced price of skipjack by 2.00 percent this year could be attributed to the higher volume of unloading," noted PSA.
Compared to skipjack, PSA data show lower 2017 production growth rates for milkfish (-0.73 percent), tilapia (-0.23 percent), tiger prawn (0.80 percent), round scad (-3.94 percent), yellow fin tuna (1.15 percent), seaweed (0.37 percent) and other fishery species (-9.29 percent).
"The fisheries sub-sector registered a 4.27 percent decline in output," noted PSA.
Such output accounted for 17.40 percent of total Philippine agricultural output in July-September 2017, PSA said.
Agriculture grew by 2.32 percent then, PSA added. (PNA)
