Philippine cassava production up 27% in Q4

MANILA, Philippines – Production of cassava reached 762,057 metric tons (MT) in the fourth quarter of 2015, 27.1 percent higher than the 599,386 MT in the third quarter.

Production was also up 6.2 percent compared to the 717,319 MT in the same period last year.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), growth came from the significant increase in areas harvested due to high demand and marketing assistance from San Miguel Corp. in Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental.

The areas harvested went up to 111,650 hectares in the second semester of 2015, a 3.1 percent increase from the 108,33 hectares in the same period in 2014.

PSA also said Bohol has been planting high yielding varieties and sufficient rainfall increase production in the ARMM area.

ARMM registered the highest production at 423,650 MT and contributed 55.6 percent to total cassava output.

Northern Mindanao followed with a 14-percent share and by Cagayan Valley with 8.7 percent.

Cassava or kamoteng kahoy is a basic staple to 500 million people in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It has the potential to reduce hunger because it is a cheap substitute for rice. Cassava is also used for animal feed and starch production.

Thailand is the world’s biggest exporter of cassava. The Philippines along with Indonesia, India, Vietnam is Asia’s major exporter.