TACLOBAN CITY– Palay production in Eastern Visayas declined by 14.6 percent during the first quarter of 2026, with total output falling to 205,405 metric tons from 240,530 metric tons recorded in the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The decline was accompanied by a 15.5-percent reduction in the total area harvested for palay, which decreased from 70,765 hectares in the first quarter of 2025 to 59,784 hectares this year.
Despite the drop in production and harvested area, average yield per hectare slightly improved by 1.2 percent, increasing from 3.40 metric tons per hectare to 3.44 metric tons per hectare.
The figures were contained in a special release issued by the PSA Regional Statistical Services Office VIII on June 11, highlighting the region’s rice production performance during the first three months of the year.
Agriculture remains a key economic driver in Eastern Visayas, where thousands of farmers depend on palay cultivation for their livelihood.
Rice production also plays a critical role in ensuring food security across the region, making fluctuations in output closely monitored by both government agencies and agricultural stakeholders.
Among the provinces, Leyte maintained its position as the region’s leading palay producer, accounting for more than half of Eastern Visayas’ total output. The province produced 115,998 metric tons during the quarter, representing 56.5 percent of the regional total.
Northern Samar ranked second with 39,395 metric tons or 19.2 percent of total production, followed by Samar with 20,595 metric tons, equivalent to 10 percent of the region’s output.
Eastern Samar contributed 17,043 metric tons, accounting for 8.3 percent of total regional production, while Southern Leyte produced 8,214 metric tons or 4 percent.
Biliran posted the lowest palay production among the six provinces with 4,160 metric tons, representing 2 percent of the regional total.
The PSA report noted that while production contracted during the quarter, the slight increase in yield indicates improved productivity in areas that remained under cultivation.
Agricultural authorities are expected to continue monitoring production trends as the region works to sustain rice supply and support farmers amid ongoing challenges affecting the agriculture sector.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
