An introduction to Vegetable industry in the Philippines

1. Module 1: An Introduction to Vegetable Growing
Objectives:
1. Determine the status of vegetable industry in the country, its economic
importance, challenges and problems.
2. Enumerate the different vegetables grown in the country and identify the top
producers and production volume.
3. Promote the economic importance and health benefits of vegetable
consumption.
Learning Methods:
1. Audio-visual presentation on the present status of the vegetable industry and
consumption in the Philippines.
2. Discussion on the economic issues on vegetable production and health benefits
of vegetable consumption.
3. Research work on the recent top producers of the major vegetables in the
country, amount of production and the nutrient contents of different vegetables.
Lesson Proper:
The Vegetable Industry in the Philippines
There are about 604,000 hectares of vegetable crops (2005) which produced
over 4.5 million tons of fresh vegetables in the Philippines. With an average yield of
(10.65 t/ha), there is considerable potential to increase yields through improved farm
practices and investment in new technologies.
Present Status
Vegetables in the Philippines can be classified based on production area as
lowland tropical vegetables and high value temperate vegetables. Vegetable production
is highly seasonal in response to temperature, rainfall, and the frequency and intensity
of typhoons. Prices are generally lowest in March to May and highest in September to
December.
The market
Filipinos consumes about 39 kg per capita vegetable consumption which is below
the 146-182 kg per capita recommended by the WHO/FAO. The 75-85% is sold through
the traditional marketing system while 10-15% shares in supermarket. Vegetable
farmers have an estimated average farm size of 2.02 hectares.
The Challenge…
There is an inconsistent supply and of poor quality vegetables in the country. The
price is low with unfavorable terms of payment and penalties associated with non-
compliance that provide little incentive.
1 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

2. The Problem?
Smallholder vegetable farmers will not have sufficient production to maintain
the quality or continuity of supply. Most farmers do not have the financial resources to
purchase the required inputs nor access to the appropriate technology to produce
quality product on a consistent basis.
Production
There are about 10,000 species of vegetables and about 48 vegetables are grown
commercially. These are classified as:
1. whole leaves - kangkong, amaranth, green onion
2. fruits - cucurbits, solanaceous fruit, legume pods
3. flower – cauliflower, broccoli
4. stem - asparagus, bamboo shoots
5. stem tubers - yam bean, potato, sweet potato
6. seeds - cucurbits, young legume seeds
7. storage roots - carrot
8. bulb - onion, garlic and shallot
9. Highlands - white potato, cabbage sweet pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce
and tomato
10. Lowlands - vegetable such as solanaceous, cucurbits, roots, and legumes
Major Vegetables Produced in Philippines per area (ha)
eggplant – covers 19,986 ha
tomato – covers 16,093 ha
onion – covers 9,584 ha
garlic – covers 7,837 ha
squash – covers 5,194 ha
cabbage – covers 7,665 ha
Vegetable Producing Provinces in the Philippines
Central Luzon – is the top producer of Onion
Ilocos – is the top producer of garlic, eggplant, tomato
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) – is the top producer of Cabbage, Potato
Southern Tagalog – is the 2nd producer of onion
Northern Mindanao – is the 2nd producer of potato
Southern Mindanao – is the 2nd producer of cabbage
Vegetable Crop Yield
12.26 tons/ha for eggplant
9.73 ton/ha for tomato
7.18 tons/ha for onion
2.6 tons/ha for garlic
2 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

3. 12.14 tons/ha for cabbage
13.95 tons/ha for squash
Status of Postharvest Handling of Vegetables
There is about 5-50 % losses on eggplant and tomato, 20-30 % on cabbage and
other leafy vegetable. Bulb crops like onion and garlic during storage reaches up to 12-
38% losses which occur during handling, transport and marketing. Postharvest facilities
are now being developed and adopted.
Imports
The Philippines imports 62% processed products of onion, garlic, tomato,
mushroom and 38% fresh melons, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, and celery.
Exports
The country also exports 43% from asparagus, 28 % from shallots, 9% on onion,
and 20 % are distributed to other vegetable crops.
Local Demand
Vegetables are sold mainly in wet markets, institutional markets like fast food
chain, hotels restaurants and other supermarkets in the major cities like Metro Manila,
Davao and Cebu City and local markets in the region were the commodity are planted.
Health Benefits
Vegetables contain nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals,
fiber, and antioxidants with medicinal properties (Table 1 and Figures 1.1-1.2).
Figure 1.1. Vegetable Benefits per Color.
3 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

4. 4 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

5. Table 1. Nutrient contents of different vegetables.
5 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

6. Figure 1.2. Vegetables for the brain.
Assessment:
1. Is vegetable production profitable in the country?
2. What are the challenges and problems in the vegetable industry?
3. What are the major vegetables produced in the country and the recent top
producers?
4. Why should you promote eating vegetables?
6 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

7. Figure 1.2. Vegetables for the brain.
Assessment:
1. Is vegetable production profitable in the country?
2. What are the challenges and problems in the vegetable industry?
3. What are the major vegetables produced in the country and the recent top
producers?
4. Why should you promote eating vegetables?
6 Fernandez, Alminda M. PhD, 2015. Module 1 in Vegetable Production - An Introduction to
Vegetable Growing, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus