Cabbages market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cabbage market in the Philippines grew from 120.8 thousand tons to 129.8 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by the introduction of heat-tolerant and disease-resistant hybrid varieties, such as Scorpio by Allied Botanical Corporation, which enabled cultivation to spread beyond traditional highland areas like Benguet into lowland regions. Concurrently, sustained crop rotation practices and farmer anticipation of good prices supported continued production increases, with Benguet province maintaining a dominant share of the planted area.

Market volume then contracted to 124.5 thousand tons in 2021 and 121.3 thousand tons in 2022. This decline was primarily due to persistent challenges that limited output, including high incidences of pests and diseases, poor farmer access to modern inputs and skills, and inefficiencies in marketing and distribution. Although cost-and-return analyses became available to aid farm management and digital agriculture tools like drones began emerging, these were insufficient to offset the production constraints during this period.

A recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume returning to 128.2 thousand tons. The adoption of smart farming technologies for crop monitoring and improved market responsiveness, alongside ongoing government and industry collaboration to strengthen farmer linkages, contributed to this rebound. Looking ahead, regional specialization continued as Benguet remained the leading production area for Chinese cabbage in 2024.

Production cabbages in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Cabbage production in the Philippines increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 129.8 K t of cabbages, representing a 1.4% year-over-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 120.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 1.5% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 6.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cabbages from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 426-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, foreign cabbage supplies from the Philippines amounted to 71.5 t, which is 42 461.1% higher compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 58.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner base for cabbages in kind was extremely narrow, with the United States alone accounting for 98.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 394-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019. In 2020, the Philippines exported 61 498 US dollars worth of cabbages, marking an increase of 39 321.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 156 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 76.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of cabbage exports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, which held a 98.0% share of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Philippines in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to the Philippines

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 28 times. In 2020, cabbage shipments to the Philippines from abroad reached 62.1 t, showing a decrease of 41.8% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 122.3 t. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 2 743.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for cabbage imports in kind was centered on China, whose share amounted to 82.6% of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period recorded a trough in 2017 and a peak in 2019, showing a 24-fold amplitude. In 2020, the Philippines' cabbage imports reached 53 984 US dollars, which is 41.8% lower compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 92 756 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 751.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant destination for cabbage imports in value terms to the Philippines, accounting for 73.7% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among a number of smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Philippines in value, 2017-2020