Taro market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

Philippine taro production received consistent backing from government agricultural policies, including subsidies and technical assistance through the Department of Agriculture's High Value Crops Development Program. This foundation supported farming activities, though market volume experienced a modest dip in 2019. A recovery began in 2020, fueled by targeted investments in post-harvest infrastructure, such as the Philippine Rural Development Project's funding for facilities in the Bicol region, which helped reduce losses and improve supply chain efficiency.

Output continued to rise through 2022, peaking above 113 thousand tons. This growth was aided by research initiatives from DOST-PCAARRD and CBSUA that identified promising taro cultivars and optimized processes for value-added products like flour and starch. Concurrently, trends in the frozen food sector towards ready-to-cook and plant-based items created new opportunities for taro utilization. However, production contracted in 2023, a period that coincided with a reported sharp decline in export volumes and significant increases in import prices, factors that likely affected market sentiment.

The sector's development continued into 2024 with the groundbreaking of a ₱29.97 million taro post-harvest processing plant in Bicol, aimed at boosting local value addition. New regulatory measures were also introduced, including the Philippine FDA's formalization of 'Samples Only' import permit requirements for food products. Consumer preference for health-conscious options and tourism-driven demand for traditional dried taro leaves further influenced product innovation strategies.

Production taro in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines ranked 14th globally in taro production.

Top producers of taro, 2017-2020

World map of production of taro, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, taro production in the Philippines rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 107.4 thousand tonnes of taro, marking a 2.4% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 104.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.8%.

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

Exports taro from the Philippines

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a low in 2019 and a high in 2017, resulting in an 8.1-fold difference. In 2020, the Philippines exported 3.2 tonnes of taro, a sharp rise of 391.8% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was 0.7 tonnes in 2019, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 86.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of taro from the Philippines were Canada (29.7% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (24.2%), and Malaysia (19.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.3% of total exports in kind.

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 exhibited volatile behavior during this period. Export values reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2019, with a 14.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the Philippines exported $11,751 worth of taro, a steep increase of 446.6% from the previous year. The minimum value was $2,150 in 2019, and the largest decline was 87.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of taro from the Philippines in value terms were Canada (38.3% of exports), the United Kingdom (29.0%), and Qatar (13.0%). Collectively, these countries made up 80.3% of total export value.

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 taro to the Philippines

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and bottomed out in 2018, with a 4.9-fold difference. In 2020, the Philippines imported 44.1 tonnes of taro from abroad, a decrease of 62.6% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was 117.9 tonnes in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 389.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports of taro to the Philippines in kind were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 79.4% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

The market showed signs of volatility throughout the observed period. Import values peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, differing by a factor of 5.6. In 2020, foreign taro supplies to the Philippines totaled $19,901, which is 75.3% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was $80,569 in 2019, and the largest increase was 455.1% that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China clearly dominated taro imports to the Philippines in value terms, holding 73.4% of total flows. Other countries each had significantly smaller shares.

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

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