The total factory output of domestic manufacturers reverted to growth in April despite a slower annual increase in food production.
The Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) monthly integrated survey of selected industries (MISSI) report for April 2025, released on Friday, June 6, showed the volume of production index (VoPI)—a proxy for factory output—rose 4.2 percent year-on-year at the start of the second quarter, reversing the two-percent decline last March.
However, VoPI growth in April this year was slower than a year ago's 7.3-percent expansion.
The PSA said 11 out of the 21 industries covered by MISSI recorded growth in April, while the rest posted declines.
The best-performing industries in terms of production volume were food products, basic metals, as well as transport equipment manufacturing.
Food production growth was faster year-on-year—at 11.2 percent in April from 7.2 percent a year ago, although slower month-on-month compared to March's 17.2 percent.
"The deceleration in the annual growth rate of VoPI for manufacture of food products in April 2025 was brought about by the downtrend in the annual growth rates of VoPI for seven out of eight industry groups. This was led by the annual decline in the manufacture of dairy products at 1.3 percent in April 2025 from a 12.4-percent annual increase in the previous month," the PSA said.
"Meanwhile, the VoPI for manufacture of vegetable and animal oils and fats registered a faster annual growth rate of 27 percent in April 2025 from 25 percent in the previous month," it added.
Similar to production volume, the value of production index (VaPI) of the country's factories also returned to growth in April via a 4.3-percent expansion, reversing March's 1.4-percent decrease, although slower than a year earlier's 6.5-percent increase.
While the same three sectors led the growth in April's VaPI, basic metals manufacturing was the top performer as growth in production value climbed 17.3 percent year-on-year to reverse March's 43.8-percent drop.