SUGARCANE for chewing posted a dramatic rise in 2025 with 148.5% increase in sales volume at source, according to the PSA XI commercial crops annual average farmgate prices in the region for 2025.
While it is only priced at P20.06/kg, cheaper than other commercial crops, it outperformed other crops in terms of growth rate compared to the same period last year.
Philippine Statistics Authority(PSA)XI defined farmgate price as the price received by farmers for their crops at the location of the farm.
Marketing costs, such as transport among others, incurred in selling the produce are not included in the farm prices.
Sugarcane for chewing growth was most visible in the second quarter of the year, where it hit a staggering 207.7% growth rate.
While this pace moderated by the fourth quarter to a 52.0% increase, it remained the top crop in year-over-year price improvement.
PSA reported its growth significantly outpaced other high-performing crops like Coconut Green or young buko which also recorded a triple-digit annual growth of 109.5%.
While sugarcane dominated in growth rate, Cacao (Cocoa Beans) posted the highest value.
Cacao maintained the highest annual average farmgate price in the region at P257.34 per kilogram supported by a solid 60.0% annual growth rate (2024 vs 2025).
Citing the quarterly data from PSAXI, Cacao’s value peaked early in the year, reaching P275.27 per kilogram, bringing a massive growth of 225.0% compared to the same period in 2024.
Although the price reduced slightly in the third quarter to P223.49 per kilogram, it rebounded to end the year at P262.62 per kilogram.
Cacao remained high value, far exceeding other high-end commodities like Coffee Arabica (P215.73/kg) and Coffee Liberica (P214.11/kg).
Coffee Arabica struggled despite its high value, ending 2025 with an annual growth rate of -14.8%. However, it is still the most-sought variety of coffee beans.
On the other hand, Coffee Robusta is priced P200/kg, with a growth rate of 60.1%; while Coffee Excelsa is priced the lowest among coffee beans varieties at P180.70/kg, posting a 30.1% growth rate.
PSA XI noted the contrast underscores the volatility of the commercial crop market, where high value do not guarantee growth.
Photo by Victoria Priessnitz/Unsplash
