Explanatory Notes

This special release presents the Situation of Selected High Value Vegetable Crops in Benguet for the year 2024. High value crops refer to “those crops that have competitive returns on investment when traded in fresh form vis–a–vis alternative investment opportunities. These crops are characterized by defined regular or niche market or potential domestic and/or export markets, command high prices, with value added or are good foreign exchange earners. High-value crops are also called non-traditional crops. The data provided in this special release were taken from the latest available data of the Crops Production Survey (CrPS) of the Crops Statistics Division, Economic Sector Statistics Service, Sectoral Statistics office of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This information presented in this special release was taken from www.openstat.psa.gov.ph.

High value vegetable crops production increased by 6.05 percent in 2024 

The total production of high value vegetable crops in Benguet in 2024 was estimated at 253,543.95 metric tons. It increased by 6.05 percent with an absolute value of 14,473.21 metric tons. Similarly, the province’s total area harvested in the current period upped by 0.16 percent, registering 13,116.22 hectares from 13,095.85 hectares in 2023. (Table 1)

High value vegetable crops contributed the largest share in production and area harvested in 2024

Crops production in the province of Benguet reached 434,311.80 metric tons in 2024. High value vegetable crops contributed the largest share with 58 percent or 253,543.95 metric tons. (Figure 1)

On the other hand, total area harvested of vegetables in Benguet was 22,621.82 hectares in 2024. Of the total crops production in the province, high value vegetable crops had the largest production since it has the widest farming area with 13,116.22 hectares or 58 percent of the total crops area of production in the province in 2024. (Figure 2)

Production of selected high value vegetable crops in Benguet in 2024

Benguet province’s comparative advantage in the cultivation of high value crops such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, habitchuelas (snap beans), radish, bell pepper, celery, sweet peas, and potatoes are evident in the high volume of production experienced year on year. This may be attributed to the province’s favorable weather and climate. Among the high value vegetable crops produced in 2024, broccoli displayed the highest percentage change of 302.50 percent, this was followed by cauliflower and radish with 95.12 and 83.39 percent, respectively. On the other hand, celery, sweet peas, and carrot declined by 18.28 percent, 9.69 percent, and 2.39 percent, respectively. (Table 2)

The increase or decrease in production of some commodities can be attributed to the plant's growth stage, weather conditions, soil type, and the intended use of the crop.
 

Area harvested of selected high value vegetable crops in Benguet in 2024

Benguet province’s area harvested of selected high value vegetable crops increased by 0.16 percent in 2024. Topping it was broccoli with 236.07 percent change in area harvested. Cauliflower, radish, and potato also exhibited an increase in area harvested. Whereas, celery, habitchuelas (snap beans), bell pepper, sweet peas and carrots displayed a decrease in area harvested with percent change of 41.47, 25.51, 20.65. 12.35 and 10.91, respectively. (Table 3)

Average yield of selected high value vegetable crops in Benguet in 2024

The average yield per hectare of selected high value vegetable crops in the province varies in 2024. Habitchuelas (Snap beans) exhibited the highest percentage change of 51.69 followed by celery, bell pepper, and radish with percent change of 39.61, 29.88, and 27.37, respectively. Meanwhile, cabbage and potato displayed a minimal decrease in the average yield with 1.88 and 0.20 percent, respectively. (Table 4)

Concepts and Definitions

Crop Production refers to the quantity produced and harvested for a particular crop during the reference period. It includes those measured but damaged, stolen, given away, consumed, given as harvesters’ share, and reserved. Also included are those production from “pakyaw” and “contract growers”. On the other hand, excluded are those produced but not harvested for whatever reason/s. 

High value crops refer to “those crops that have competitive returns on investment when traded in fresh form vis–a–vis alternative investment opportunities. These crops are characterized by defined regular or niche market or potential domestic and/or export markets, command high prices, with value added or are good foreign exchange earners.

High Value is derived from productivity, expressed in quantity per hectare multiplied by farmgate price.

Area Planted refers to the actual physical area planted measured in hectares. This generally applies to area reported for permanent crops and multi-harvest temporary crops.

Area Harvested refers to the actual area from which harvests are realized expressed in hectares. This excludes crop area which was totally damaged. It may be smaller than the area planted.  In crops statistics, this applies to mono-harvest temporary crops. 

Yield per Hectare is an indicator of productivity derived by dividing the total production by the area planted/harvested for temporary crops 

IMELDA L. BUYUCCAN (SGD)

Chief Statistical Specialist

Benguet Provincial Statistical Office

/SMS