Typhoon Kristine’s Impact on Agriculture: Crop Losses, Infrastructure Damage, and Market Disruptions

Typhoon Kristine: Damage to Agriculture Infrastructure and Crop Losses

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Typhoon Kristine (international name: Trami) affected almost all regions of Luzon and Visayas, including some parts of Mindanao, from October 21-25, 2024. Affected regions include the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga Region. On October 28, 2024, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 158 areas nationwide had declared a state of calamity due to the effects of Typhoon Kristine. The Bicol region has the largest number of affected areas, totaling 78 municipalities and cities, followed by CALABARZON with 63 and Eastern Visayas with 13.

On November 4, 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operations Center (DRRM-OC) reported that the estimated agricultural damage caused by Typhoon Kristine reached Php 6.20 billion. The losses were primarily in rice production (72%), followed by high-value crops (HVC) (14%), fisheries (11%), and others (3%) which include corn, cassava, livestock and poultry, agriculture infrastructures, and machinery. A total of 283,528 metric tons (MT) of agricultural products were lost, impacting 143,065 farmers across 117,509 hectares (ha), with 65% of the affected areas still having a chance of recovery.

The DA DRRM-OC report provided detailed data on the damage to specific crops and areas. Rice farms suffered damage across 107,820 ha, 64% of which have recovery potential. This resulted in 239,302 MT of rice losses, valued at Php4.46 billion. Corn fields sustained damage to 2,123 ha, with 78% potentially recoverable, leading to losses of 3,392 MT of corn, valued at Php77.05 million. In addition, 276 Ha of cassava were damaged, with 77% potentially recoverable, resulting in 2,125 MT of losses worth Php40.34 million. High-value crops, including upland and lowland vegetables, legumes, spices, and fruit trees, were affected across 7,290 ha, with 73% having a chance to recover, causing 36,928 MT of HVC losses, valued at Php865.09 million. 

Damages to livestock and poultry include chicken, swine, cattle, carabao, goat, sheep, horse, quails, ducks, turkey, and guinea fowl, with 7,352 heads affected valued at Php13.89 million. The typhoon also impacted fresh fish stocks such as tilapia, carp, milkfish, catfish, crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, aquatic plants, fish ponds, and fish cages, affecting 6,017 fisherfolks. This damage led to a total volume loss of 1,781 MT, valued at Php665.01 million. Irrigation facilities, including a diversion dam, a small impounding water system (SWIP), and a solar-powered fertigation system (SPFS), were damaged, resulting in losses valued at Php28 million. Damage to other farm structures, which include rain shelters, greenhouses, animal houses, and administrative buildings, reached Php50.46 million, while damage to machinery and equipment reached Php300,000. 

Table 1. Summary of Agricultural Damages Nationwide due to Effects of Typhoon Kristine

Source: DA DRRM-OC, 2024

Typhoon Kristine Drives Up Vegetable Prices Despite Early Harvest Efforts in Metro Manila

Typhoon Kristine destroyed farms, deteriorated produce quality, and blocked roads due to heavy rains, strong winds, landslides, and flooding. Disruptions in delivery and delays in transporting vegetables to public markets in Metro Manila affected the prices of vegetables. The data from the DA Price Monitoring database, between October 18 and October 25, 2024, revealed that prices of selected vegetables increased by Php5 to Php40 per kilogram (kg), with pechay tagalog experiencing the highest price increase of Php40 per kg, despite the early harvest of crops done by farmers. DA attributed the price hikes to storm-induced damages, impacting rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock, and poultry, and affecting thousands of farmers across multiple regions.

Table 2. List of Vegetables and Corresponding Prices per Kilogram (in Php) in Metro Manila

Source: DA Price Monitoring, 2024

Government Response 

In response to the severe impact of Typhoon Kristine, the Philippine government has implemented an extensive and coordinated relief effort to support affected communities. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through PAGASA, closely monitored the storm and issued warnings and updates regarding its track, intensity, and potential hazards in affected areas. On October 25, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged that aid would be delivered by land, air, and sea, assuring residents in heavily affected areas that immediate relief was on its way.

The DA provided significant assistance in response to the impact of the typhoon, including Php541.02 million in agricultural inputs from regional offices, 5,292 bags of rice for local government units (LGUs), and a Php1 billion Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas. Additionally, the DA has allocated Php500 million for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, offering up to Php25,000 per farmer with zero interest, and will provide indemnities through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for affected farmers. KADIWA stores are deployed to affected areas, while DA offices coordinate with LGUs and conduct field validations and price monitoring.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has enforced a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities in areas under a state of calamity. This measure, mandated by the Price Act (Republic Act 7581), requires businesses to maintain pre-calamity prices for essential goods like canned fish, bottled water, bread, and laundry soap. DTI, along with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), is actively monitoring compliance and warns that violations may lead to fines or administrative cases. Consumers can report any suspected breaches through DTI’s hotline or email.

International Aid 

On October 26, 2024, the Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 cargo plane and the Royal Malaysian Air Force Eurocopter EC725 helicopter landed at Villamor Air Base in Manila to provide relief efforts following Typhoon Kristine. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the aircrafts, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. Additionally, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia have expressed intentions to send air assets to help transport relief goods. Meanwhile, Australia sent its “Bluey” emergency food truck capable of serving 800 hot meals daily to displaced individuals in Camarines Sur as part of its partnership with the Philippine Red Cross.

Market Outlook

The agricultural market is expected to remain unstable after Typhoon Kristine, with rising vegetable prices in Metro Manila due to delivery disruptions. Further delays in production and transportation are anticipated, potentially keeping prices elevated in the coming weeks. The combined impact of Typhoons Kristine and Leon, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on October 26, 2024, is also expected to increase agricultural product prices. Disruptions to rice harvests, livestock relocation, and fishing activities are straining supply and pushing prices upward. Government assistance remains crucial for recovery efforts and market stabilization as farmers continue to struggle with reduced incomes and increasing production costs while repairing damaged infrastructure.