Negros Island Region (NIR) ranked second in the country in carabao production for the third quarter of 2025, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Thursday, Nov. 20.
From July to September, the region produced 2,920 metric tons of carabao (liveweight), placing it behind Northern Mindanao, which recorded the highest output at 3,000 metric tons during the same period.
The other top-producing regions were Davao Region with 2,500 metric tons, Eastern Visayas with 2,360 metric tons, and SOCCSKSARGEN with 2,300 metric tons.
Combined, these areas accounted for nearly half of the country’s total carabao production in the third quarter.
Nationwide output reached 27,920 metric tons, reflecting a 9-percent decline from the previous year.
As of Sept. 30, the country’s total carabao inventory was estimated at 2.63 million heads.
Negros Island Region contributed 149,930 heads, placing it eighth among all regions.
The PSA noted that 99.4 percent of the country’s carabao population were raised by smallhold farmers, with only a minimal share coming from commercial and semi-commercial farms.
The PSA also reported an increase in the average farmgate price of carabaos for slaughter, which rose to P186.63 per kilogram during the third quarter.
This represents a 17.6-percent jump from the P158.73 per kilogram recorded in the same period last year.
During the quarter, the highest average price was logged in September at P188.08 per kilogram, while the lowest was recorded in July at P185.27 per kilogram.
PSA said the price increase coincided with production declines recorded in 14 regions compared to 2024.*