PRODUCTION STATISTICS OF CABBAGE IN BENGUET 2020

Benguet remains to be the top producer of cabbage an the country

The Philippines produced a total of 129,803.39 metric tons of cabbage in 2020 which is 1.37 percent higher from that of the 126,050.06 metric tons in 2019. The increase in production was attributed by the increase in area harvested due to crop rotation and at the same time in anticipation of good price for the crop shifted. Likewise, out of the total production in the country, the province of Benguet remains to be the top contributor in 2020 with 86,820.67 metric tons. This is literally true due to its elevation and temperature which is suitable in producing semi-temperate vegetable crops. Davao del Sur on the other hand, being the fifth of the top producing provinces also contributed at least 3,357.54 metric tons in 2020 which is 7.25 percent higher from 2019 production.

Benguet shares 40% in the country's cabbage production

Cabbage production in the country reached 129,803.39 metric tons in 2020. The province of Benguet contributed the biggest share with 40 percent or 86,820.67 metric tons.

Among all the cabbage producing provinces in the country, Benguet had the largest production since it has the widest farming area with 4,145.00 hectares or 34 percent of the total cabbage area of production in the country in 2020. Additionally, due to its high elevation and temperate weather, it has become the greatest attribute in producing good quality cabbage because it requires low temperature for better growth development.

Benguet displayed the highest average yield per hectare of cabbage in the country

The Philippines has an average yield of 16.18 metric tons per hectare in 2020, which is 0.82% lower than in 2019 with an average yield of 16.32 metric tons per hectare (Figure 4). On the other hand, Benguet showed the highest yield per hectare across the years with 20.95 metric tons per hectare in 2020, followed by Bukidnon and Mt Province with 13.88 and 13.32 metric tons per hectare, respectively. Undoubtedly, the temperate weather in the province of Benguet had great effect on the quality of cabbage making it more turgid and sturdier.

Average cost of production of cabbage in the country 2020

The input structures Production Costs and Return Table (Table 1) are based on the benchmark generated by the 1996 Costs and Returns Survey of Potato and Upland Vegetable Production in the Philippines.

This table is important because the farmers or the investors will know how much was invested for every hectare and how much will be the returns from planting such commodity. This helps in analyzing the profitability of crop to be planted.

ln 2020, the average production cost of cabbage in the country manifested to PhP154,035.00 per hectare. Gross eamings amounted to PhP390,528.00 from an average yield of 16,184.00 kilograms per hectare.

After deducting cash cost, farmers earned an average of PhP304,062.00 per hectare. ln the meantime, deducting cash and non-cash costs, estimated returns figured to PhP303,894.00 per hectare.

Likewise, farmers' net earnings amounted to PhP236,493.00 per hectare. Meanwhile, the cost of production in producing a kilogram of cabbage is PhP9.52 while the price received by farmers was PhP24.13. Correspondingly, farmers gained an amount of PhP1.54 for every peso invested in cabbage production (Table 1).

Seasonal lndex of Cabbage in Benguet

Above normal price indices were recorded from the month of June to December, which means that lesser volume of cabbage was traded during these months. Highest average farmgate price was realized in the month of September while the lowest was monitored in the month of March (Figure 5).