ILOILO CITY — Palay production in Western Visayas (WV) took a steep hit in the fourth quarter of 2025, dropping 46.9 percent compared to the same period last year. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), output fell from 616,341 metric tons in Q4 2024 to an estimated 327,026 metric tons.

The decline was linked to a 36.8-percent reduction in harvested area, which fell from 188,638 hectares to 119,202 hectares across the region. Rainfed areas were hit hardest, down 60.8 percent, while irrigated areas decreased by 21.2 percent.

Breaking it down, rainfed palay production dropped from 400,669 metric tons to 157,064 metric tons, and irrigated palay went from 215,672 metric tons to 169,963 metric tons. The harvested area for rainfed palay fell 47.1 percent to 67,916 hectares, and irrigated areas decreased 14.8 percent to 51,286 hectares.

Iloilo remained the top contributor to the region’s palay output, accounting for 51.3 percent, followed by Antique (17.8 percent), Capiz (17.3 percent), Aklan (7.2 percent) and Guimaras (6.4 percent). Iloilo also led the decline in harvested areas, contributing 25.2 percentage points to the regional 36.8-percent drop, with harvested land falling from 112,612 hectares in Q4 2024 to 65,137 hectares this year. Capiz followed with a 7.8-point decline, while Aklan and Guimaras each lost 1.5 points, and Antique fell 0.9 points.

Of the region’s 119,202 hectares of harvested land, Iloilo accounted for 54.6 percent, followed by Antique (15.9 percent) and Capiz (14.7 percent). The other provinces contributed less than 9 percent each.

The PSA cited adverse weather, reduced planting areas, and production challenges as the main factors behind the decline. Analysts warned that because Iloilo produces the bulk of the region’s rice, the drop could impact local food supply and markets, underscoring the need for support for farmers ahead of the next planting season.