Triple Typhoon Aftermath: Agricultural Losses and Recovery in the Philippines

Explore the widespread impact of Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong, compounded by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, on Philippine agriculture and markets. This advisory examines the damage to crops, livestock, and fisheries, the effects on supply and pricing, and the government’s extensive response, including financial aid, seed distribution, price freeze measures, recovery loans, and climate-resilient initiatives to help affected farmers and consumers.

Source: DOST-PAGASA

Overview of Simultaneous Arrivals of Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong

The simultaneous arrival of typhoons and intensified Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) in July compounded the impact on the agriculture sector. For over two weeks, persistent heavy rains and strong winds triggered massive flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across multiple regions in the country. These overlapping weather systems disrupted agricultural operations, delayed the transport of goods, and prompted widespread work and class suspensions, as well as the cancellation of land, sea, and air travel nationwide.

Table 1. Tropical Disturbances and Affected Areas in the Philippines on July 16-26, 2025

Source: DOST-PAGASA, 2025

Agricultural Losses Due to Typhoons

The Department of Agriculture Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DA DRRM-OC) reported on August 7, 2025 the significant agricultural damage across multiple regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the National Capital Region (NCR). The combined impact of three consecutive typhoons brought heavy rainfall, landslides, and widespread flooding, which severely disrupted transportation networks and agricultural operations.

The total value of agricultural losses was estimated at ₱3.53 billion, affecting major sectors such as rice, fisheries, high-value crops, corn, livestock and poultry, cassava, and various other resources, as detailed in Table 1. In total, these disasters resulted in the loss of 85,160 metric tons (MT) of agricultural produce, affecting 109,318 farmers and fisherfolk and damaging 102,451 hectares (Ha) of farmland. Despite the extensive damage, 67.5% of the impacted areas were assessed to have recovery potential.

According to the DA DRRM-OC report, rice farms suffered substantial damage across 95,152 Ha, with 67% of these areas considered recoverable. This led to a total loss of 60,859 MT of rice, valued at ₱1.81 billion. Corn fields were affected across 3,393 Ha, with 78% assessed as having potential for recovery, resulting in a loss of 6,090 MT of corn worth ₱138.51 million. Cassava crops sustained damage over 191 Ha, translating to 615 MT lost and valued at ₱10.82 million. High-value crops, including lowland and upland vegetables, spices, legumes, watermelon, banana, pineapple, papaya, and root crops, were also heavily affected, with losses recorded across 3,714 Ha. Of these, 73% were considered to have recovery potential, and the total losses amounted to 16,757 MT with an estimated value of ₱756.61 million.

The livestock and poultry sector was not spared, with 46,408 heads of various animals, including chickens, swine, cattle, carabaos, goats, sheep, ducks, horses, turkey, quail, and game fowl, affected, resulting in damages amounting to ₱33.38 million. Meanwhile, the fisheries sector recorded significant losses as well. Freshwater and marine resources, including tilapia, siganid, catfish, malaga, prawn, mudcrab, seaweed, and milkfish fingerlings, were impacted, as were key assets such as motorized and wooden boats, cages, fyke nets, oyster rafts, and fishpond dikes. These damages affected 7,574 fisherfolk and accounted for losses valued at ₱755.99 million. In addition, essential agricultural infrastructure, including irrigation systems, farm structures, machinery, and equipment, sustained a total of ₱26.26 million in damages.

Table 2. Summary of Agricultural Damages Due to Effects of Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong

Source: DA DRRM-OC, 2025

Surge in Vegetable Prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reassured the public that retail prices of agricultural commodities, especially for rice, have remained stable despite the widespread agricultural damage brought by the three typhoons. According to DA, rice prices are not expected to increase significantly, as much of the damage is limited and national stocks remain sufficient. However, DA Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reported last July 26, 2025, that the prices of some vegetables have increased.

Based on the DA price database, Bantay Presyo, from July 16 to August 1, 2025, an analysis (Figure 1) showed that the retail prices of several vegetables in Metro Manila increased sharply following the series of typhoons that hit the country. The most significant surge was seen in chili which increased by 121.77%, from ₱143.23 per kilogram (kg) to ₱317.54/kg, followed by pechay which increased by 91.93%, from ₱87.71/kg to ₱168.46/kg, and carrot which increased by 75.57%, from ₱99.47/kg to ₱174.64/kg, reflecting the vulnerability of perishable crops to heavy rains, flooding, and transport disruptions. Table 2 summarizes the movement of vegetable retail prices in Metro Manila due to the effects of the three typhoons.

Table 2. Price Movement of Average Retail Prices of Vegetables in Metro Manila, July-August, 2025

Source: DA, 2025

Meanwhile, the average retail prices of meat and fish products (Table 3) showed relatively modest movements compared to the sharper changes observed in vegetables during the same period. Most meat items, such as pork belly, decreased by 2.22%. Pork ham and whole chicken also experienced slight decreases of 2.61% and 3.32%, respectively. On the other hand, beef products remained largely stable. In contrast, certain fish products recorded moderate increases, with milkfish rising by 8.54%, sardines by 8.55%, and local round scad by 14.25%, likely due to supply disruptions from the typhoons and the enhanced southwest monsoon. These fish price hikes, although notable, were still lower than the extreme surges in vegetables like chili (121.77%) and pechay (91.93%), emphasizing that the vegetable sector was more severely impacted by the weather disturbances in terms of price volatility.

Table 3. Price Movement of Average Retail Prices of Livestock, Poultry, and Fish in Metro Manila, July-August, 2025

Source: DA, 2025

Government Response

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through PAGASA, closely monitored Typhoons Crising, Emong, and Dante, issuing warnings about their tracks and potential flood risks. In response to the impacts of these typhoons, along with the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) that caused widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and agricultural losses, the DA released ₱653.01 million in assistance to affected farmers. This support included rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, as well as fertilizers, biologics, and veterinary drugs to aid livestock and poultry recovery. The DA also offered access to the ₱400 million worth Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, which provides zero-interest loans of up to ₱25,000 payable over three years, and coordinated with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to compensate insured farmers for their losses.

To stabilize prices and secure food supply, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) imposed a 60-day price freeze on necessities in all areas declared under a state of calamity, including Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, parts of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo City, and several LGUs in Metro Manila and other provinces. Oil companies also implemented price freezes in areas hardest hit by the habagat and cyclones. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in coordination with the U.S. military under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), deployed resources and personnel for disaster response, including clearing operations and logistical support in transporting relief goods. The DA likewise began assessing alternative supply sources from unaffected regions to offset losses.

Selected DOST-PCAARRD Climate-Resilient Initiatives

To support climate adaptation in Philippine agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) has invested in and collaborated on several projects and programs that address the vulnerabilities of farming and fishing communities to extreme weather events. These initiatives highlight science-based strategies, technologies, and capacity-building activities that aim to strengthen local resilience, secure livelihoods, and ensure sustainable food systems amid the growing threats of climate change.

Sustainable Climate-Resilient Tree-based Farming System

DOST-PCAARRD funded a project led by Dr. Rowena C. Benavides of Mindanao State University, Maguindanao Campus (MSU-Maguindanao) to enhance climate resilience through native tree and fruit tree-based agroforestry technologies. In light of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, the project seeks to restore degraded lands, protect livelihoods, and strengthen community adaptation to climate change. To achieve this, it aims to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and create sustainable livelihood opportunities that will benefit both farmers and their communities.

The project focuses on rehabilitating 10 Ha of land in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao, establishing two community nurseries for seedling production and livelihood generation, and promoting agroforestry technologies for climate change adaptation. Activities include farmer and landowner training on agroforestry practices, production of information materials, and establishment of demonstration areas. Set for completion in April 2027, the project is expected to deliver improved ecosystem and community resilience, trained local cooperators, and practical models for climate-resilient land management. By enabling the adoption of sustainable, tree-based farming systems, the initiative supports long-term environmental stability, food security, and economic opportunities in climate-vulnerable areas of Maguindanao.

Enhance Climate-Resilience in Small Island Communities

The Island ReGen project, another climate-resilient initiative funded by DOST-PCAARRD, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of climate-vulnerable small island communities, where agriculture, fisheries, and eco-tourism are increasingly at risk from natural hazards. Led by Dr. Darlene Lovina, the project also recognized that women are often disproportionately affected by climate change; hence, the project also integrates gender perspectives to ensure equitable and inclusive resilience strategies. The two-year project focuses on the islands of Marinduque and Busuanga.

The project will utilize the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)’s Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) toolkit to assess ecological, agricultural, and social resilience. Resource management practices, key commodities, and local innovations will be documented, and the roles of women and men in climate adaptation will be evaluated. Expected to be completed by January 2026, the project will provide a comprehensive resilience profile for each site, evidence-based policy recommendations, and targeted interventions that will enhance ecosystem-based adaptation. By producing actionable strategies grounded in local realities, the Island ReGen project supports sustainable livelihoods, environmental stewardship, and gender-responsive climate resilience.

FoodSTART+: Root and Tuber Crops for Food Security and Climate Resilience

In partnership with the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) of Visayas State University (VSU), DOST-PCAARRD served as the Philippine coordinating partner for the FoodSTART+ project funded by the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Implemented by the International Potato Center (CIP), the project advanced the integration of root and tuber crops (RTC) such as sweetpotato and cassava into farming systems and value chains to strengthen food security and climate resilience. Completed by November 2018, the project linked RTC-based innovations with five large-scale IFAD investments in the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. FoodSTART+ helped improve the resilience of upland and coastal communities that are most vulnerable to climate risks.

To extend the project’s results and increase recognition of RTCs, DOST-PCAARRD co-organized the regional congress “Root and Tuber Crops for Food Security and Climate Change Resilience in Asia” on October 17-19, 2019, together with CIP and PhilRootcrops. The event gathered over 100 participants from the Philippines, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Indonesia, and Pacific island nations. It provided a platform to share FoodSTART+ findings, knowledge products, and policy recommendations, while also showcasing innovations in breeding, agronomy, seed systems, postharvest management, and product development. By underscoring RTCs as climate-resilient yet often undervalued crops, the initiative highlighted their potential to enhance food security, safeguard farmer livelihoods, and strengthen agri-food system resilience across Asia and the Pacific.

SAFE Project

DOST-PCAARRD, through its Science and Technology Action Frontline for Emergencies and Hazards (SAFE) program, partnered with Benguet State University (BSU) and the Cordillera Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Research and Development (CorCAARRD) to strengthen the resilience of vegetable terrace farms in Benguet. Completed by June 2020, the project introduced science and technology (S&T) interventions to mitigate the impacts of typhoons, landslides, frost, strong winds, and pest outbreaks on key crops such as lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage.

A techno-demo farm was established to test structural measures like windbreaks, tunnel-type rain shelters, and interlinked-reinforced terraces, which reduced crop damage, improved soil quality, and increased yields and farmer incomes. The project also trained 60 farmers and six local officials on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, while enhancing women’s participation through training on soil and pest management, organic fertilizer production, and food processing for entrepreneurship. To sustain the gains, information materials and a policy brief were developed to guide LGUs, leading to the inclusion of selected technologies in local investment and climate action plans.

DFNet III: Climate Change Adaptation in Tropical Fruit Production

DOST-PCAARRD, in collaboration with UPLB, serves as the Philippine partner in the international project DFNet III, which is led by the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC). The initiative unites member countries in a consortium that works to design adaptation strategies and share practical approaches for making tropical fruit production more resilient to the effects of climate change. Since 2024, the consortium has organized learning visits in Thailand and Vietnam to examine climate-related risks, identify adaptive farming practices, and explore opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization.

As part of this continuing effort, DOST-PCAARRD and UPLB will co-host the DFNet 2025 Workshop in the Philippines on October 27 to 30, 2025. The activity will include field visits in Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, followed by a forum at the PCAARRD office in Los Baños, Laguna. Delegates from member countries such as Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Vietnam will share country experiences, present updates, and contribute to the development of a regional guidebook on climate adaptation for tropical fruit production. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the DFNet III project will deliver a consolidated set of knowledge resources and practical models that can help smallholder fruit farmers across Asia and the Pacific adapt more effectively to climate variability and safeguard their livelihoods.

Market Outlook

The Philippine agricultural market is under pressure following the combined impacts of Typhoons Crising, Emong, and Dante, alongside the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat), which disrupted supply chains and damaged key production areas. Retail prices of highly perishable vegetables surged by 19% to 122%, with Chili, Pechay, and Carrot experiencing the steepest increases due to crop losses, transport disruptions, and reduced market arrivals. Farmers face mounting recovery expenses from damaged crops, livestock, and infrastructure, while consumers contend with elevated food costs.

If logistical constraints and production shortfalls persist, price normalization may take several weeks, particularly for highland and leafy vegetables sourced from heavily affected areas. Targeted government interventions, including seed and input distribution, zero-interest recovery loans, post-harvest infrastructure rehabilitation, and climate-resilient initiatives, will be crucial to stabilize supply, restore farm productivity, and safeguard household purchasing power. Strengthening climate-resilient farming systems and improving regional supply linkages remain essential to minimizing similar disruptions in the future.

Reference

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