THE National Dairy Authority (NDA) reported strong gains in milk production and herd numbers for the second quarter of 2025, signaling continued momentum in the country’s dairy sector.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), national milk production reached 18.16 million liters in the second half of this year – 11.4% higher than the 16.30 million liters produced in the same period last year.
Of this total, 14.72 million liters came from NDA-assisted and monitored areas, reflecting an 11.9% increase year-on-year. The remaining 3.44 million liters were produced outside NDA’s oversight but captured by PSA in its livestock and poultry surveys.
Dairy cattle remained the main source of milk, contributing 10.98 million liters or 60.4% of total output. Dairy goats followed with 2.14 million liters (11.8%), while the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) accounted for 2.64 million liters of carabao’s milk, representing 14.5% of national production. Milk production from NDA-monitored areas showed further gains, with cattle output rising by 11.7% and goat’s milk surging by 47.5% compared to last year.
The national dairy herd also expanded significantly. As of June 2025, the herd totaled 166,411 heads, up 16.4% from 154,252 heads in June 2024. This included 37,369 dairy cattle, 89,907 carabaos, and 39,035 goats, reflecting the success of NDA’s herd build-up programs and strengthened partnerships with cooperatives and commercial players.
NDA Administrator Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya welcomed the upward trend as proof of the resilience of dairy farmers and the agency’s sustained support programs.
“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,” said Andaya.
He added: “Our current programs are already driving clear gains in herd growth and milk production. With five stock farms now established in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; Ubay, Bohol; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; and Carmen, Cotabato, and three more in the pipeline, we are confident that these facilities will further accelerate the increase in both herd population and local milk output in the years ahead.”
As of mid-2025, NDA programs span 70 provinces, 463 municipalities, and 1,307 dairy entities, supporting 2,355 assisted and monitored farmers nationwide.
With production and herd numbers on the rise, the NDA expressed optimism that the Philippines is on track to meet its long-term dairy development goals and ensure a steady supply of locally produced milk for Filipino households./PN
