MANILA — The country’s milk production grew by 11.4 percent in the second quarter of 2025, buoyed by herd expansion and government support programs, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) reported Thursday.

Milk output reached 18.16 million liters from April to June, up from 16.30 million liters in the same period last year, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Of the total, 14.72 million liters were produced in areas assisted and monitored by the NDA, while 3.44 million liters came from other stakeholders. Dairy cattle accounted for 60.4 percent of total production, or 10.98 million liters, followed by goats with 2.14 million liters. The Philippine Carabao Center contributed 2.64 million liters, representing 14.5 percent of national output.

“The steady growth in both milk output and dairy herd shows that our current programs are bearing fruit. By expanding the herd and improving productivity at the farm level, we are creating more opportunities for our dairy farmers and increasing the availability of fresh, local milk for Filipino families,” NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said.

As of June, the country’s dairy herd population rose by 16.4 percent to 166,411 heads from 154,252 in June 2024. This comprised 37,369 dairy cattle, 89,907 carabaos, and 39,035 goats.

The NDA said it has established five stock farms in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; Ubay, Bohol; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; and Carmen, Cotabato, with three more planned.

Andaya expressed confidence the country is on track to meet its milk production targets, with programs now implemented across 70 provinces and 463 municipalities, covering 1,307 dairy entities and supporting 2,355 assisted and monitored farmers nationwide.

“We are confident that these facilities will further accelerate the increase in both herd population and local milk output in the years ahead,” he said. (PNA)