Livestock Inventory in Zambales Shows Notable Growth in Q1 2025

The livestock sector in the province of Zambales posted positive growth in inventory during the First Quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

As of April 1, 2025, three major livestock commodities—swine, cattle, and carabao—registered increases in inventory:
• Swine led the growth with a 20.0 percent increase, from 30,859 heads in April 2024 to 37,020 heads in April 2025. It remains the commodity with the largest inventory share.
• Cattle followed with a 3.9 percent increase, from 27,652 heads to 28,732 heads.
• Carabao also recorded a modest rise of 2.5 percent, from 29,677 heads to 30,419 heads.

Figure 1 illustrates the comparative inventory levels of the three major livestock commodities as of April 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025.

Figure 2 presents the percentage distribution of livestock inventory in Zambales as of April 1, 2025. Among all livestock commodities, goats accounted for the largest share, comprising 28.8 percent of the total inventory. This translates to an estimated 40,661 heads. The following goats in terms of inventory share are Swine with 26.2 percent (37,020 heads), Carabao with 21.6 percent (30,419 heads), and Cattle with 20.4 percent (28,372 heads).

The minor livestock commodities, which each have inventories below the 10,000-mark, include: Rabbit – 4,069 heads, Sheep – 210 heads, and Horse – 15 heads.

Figure 2 above visualizes this percentage distribution of livestock inventory across animal types.

Table 1 presents the quarterly inventory trend for major livestock commodities in Zambales from the First Quarter of 2024 to the First Quarter of 2025. Among the commodities, carabao, cattle, and goat exhibited fluctuating trends over the five-quarter period, indicating variable production or market factors affecting inventory levels.  

On the other hand, swine inventory demonstrated a consistent upward trend from Q1 2024 through Q1 2025.  

Table 1 below summarizes the quarterly inventory levels of livestock commodities:

Decline in Livestock Production Volume Observed in Q1 2025

The total volume of production for all livestock commodities in Zambales for the First Quarter of 2025 was estimated at 1,631.73 metric tons, reflecting a 7.9 percent decrease compared in the same quarter of 2024. This decline was primarily driven by a significant drop in cattle production, which fell from 413.50 metric tons in Q1 2024 to 353.00 metric tons in Q1 2025. This represents a 14.6 percent decrease and was the largest contributor to the overall downward trend.

Despite this quarter’s decline, each major commodity reached its peak production volume in different quarters over the past year: Carabao recorded its highest production in Q3 2024, reaching 148.08 metric tons, Cattle peaked in Q4 2024 with 555.38 metric tons, Swine had its highest production in Q3 2024 at 2,360.66 metric tons, and Goat posted its peak in Q2 2024, producing 248.34 metric tons. Figure 3 below shows the detailed quarterly volume of production per commodity and the trend over the last five quarters.

NORMAN L. BUNDALIAN
Chief Statistical Specialist

CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS

Data for this Special Release were taken from the two (2) major surveys, namely: 1) Livestock and Poultry Survey: Household (LPSH) and 2) the Livestock and Poultry Survey (LPSE), both conducted quarterly by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Another source that supplements the data requirements of the Livestock and Poultry sector is the Compilation of Data Slaughterhouses and Poultry Dressing Plants (CDSPDP). This is done monthly and utilizes administrative data from Locally Registered Meat Establishments (LRMEs) in the province which is in coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and Meat Inspectors (MIs) of the Local Government Unit (LGU).

Livestock. Farm animals kept or raised for consumption and work. For purposes of census and surveys, livestock covers only those that are tended and raised by households and establishments.

Slaughterhouse. The premises that are approved and registered by a controlling authority in which food animals are slaughtered for human consumption.

Volume of Production. The number of tended/raised animals disposed for slaughter including animals shipped-out for slaughter (liveweight equivalent).

Animal Inventory. The actual number of animals (in head) present in the farm as of a specific reference data regardless of ownership.