Agriculture continues negative growth

By Ivamere Nataro 18 February 2019, 12:00AM

Samoa’s agriculture sector has again recorded a negative growth for the fourth consecutive quarter, contributing a negative 0.6 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product. 

This is highlighted in the September 2018 Quarter GDP Report that was produced by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics. 

“Overall, agricultural activity recorded a total value added of $31.5 million at constant 2009 prices in the September 2018 quarter, dropping by 8.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis,” said the report. 

According to the report, this was consistent with the decline in the production of major crops such as taro (45.6 per cent), ta’amu (14.7 per cent), banana (50.2 per cent), and head cabbage (38.3 per cent), compared to the same quarter of the previous year. 

“The decrease also reflected the 1.6 per cent fall in exports of agricultural produce. Likewise, livestock experienced a decline of 2.7 per cent.” 

However, while the constant price value-added from the sector decreased, in current price terms output increased by 14.4 per cent due to the price effects. 

For the fishing industry, the total value added to it was $13.3 million at constant prices, decreasing by 7.9 per cent in September 2018 following a positive growth in June 2018. 

The 36.2 per cent increase in fish sold in markets around the country was not sufficient enough, to offset the 48.9 per cent decline in export of fish in the period. 

“The industry’s performance in the quarter was due to changing weather patterns affecting fish stocks in Samoan waters. 

“The industry’s share to nominal GDP dropped from the 3.1 percent in September 2017 to 2.3 per cent in September 2018.”

By Ivamere Nataro 18 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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