Philippines Q3 agricultural output shrinks 2.6% y/y

MANILA, Nov 8 (Reuters) –

• The Philippines’ agricultural output contracted at an annual pace of 2.6% in July-September, reflecting production declines in crops, livestock and fisheries sectors, the statistics agency said on Monday

• Crops output, which accounted for 54% of the overall agricultural production, fell 0.2% despite a 6.7% increase in paddy rice harvest, the Philippine Statistics Authority said

• Livestock production shrank 15.2% due to the lingering effects of African swine fever outbreaks, while fisheries output dropped 0.4%, but poultry grew 1.3%

• The government will release third-quarter GDP data on Tuesday, with agriculture usually accounting for less than 10% of overall output

(Reporting by Enrico Dela Cruz; Editing by Rashmi Aich)

((enrico.delacruz@tr.com))