Cassava market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The cassava market volume in the Philippines gradually declined from 2 722 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 554 thousand tons in 2023. This reduction was partly due to a peak in cultivation area reached in 2018, which was not sustained in subsequent years, and extreme weather events like El Niño and La Niña in 2020 that posed challenges to supply. Harvested area remained relatively flat after 2018, reflecting stagnation in production expansion.

Despite the falling volume, the market value increased significantly from $2 500 million to $3 427 million over the same period. This growth was supported by rising demand from feed milling industries and the emergence of new product segments, such as cassava-based biodegradable bags produced by AKO Packaging. San Miguel Foods' expansion of its Cassava Assemblers Program in 2023 also contributed to higher output and value.

Industry and government stakeholders facilitated discussions on technology adoption and partnerships to improve yields and market linkages. The regulatory environment, including Philippine FDA labeling rules for prepackaged foods, applied to cassava products, while environmental policies promoting biodegradable packaging further incentivized innovation in cassava utilization.

Production cassava in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The Philippines was among the world's leading cassava producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

Cassava production in the Philippines declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 608 thousand tons of cassava, showing a slight year-over-year drop of 0.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 7.1%, which equates to an annualized decline rate of 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cassava production value in the Philippines increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 368 million US dollars, reflecting a notable 14.9% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 501 million US dollars, which represented the largest decline of 12.5% that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 17.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cassava from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

Cassava export volume from the Philippines increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 439 tons of cassava, marking a significant 50.8% year-over-year advance. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 906 tons, which saw the largest decline of 37.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of cassava exports in volume was highly concentrated, with the United States and Canada together accounting for 81.4% of total flows. Other trading partners formed a residual portion.

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, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cassava deliveries from the Philippines reached 1 858 thousand US dollars, constituting a 74.8% rise compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 832 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 43.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (66.1% of exports in value terms), Canada (13.6%), and Qatar (4.3%) led the structure of cassava exports in value terms, together representing 84.1% 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 cassava to the Philippines

According to market research, the Philippines did not import any cassava from 2017 to 2020.