Ampalaya production surges over 40% in 3Q, highest since 2010

The country’s ampalaya (bitter gourd) production reached 23,947.14 metric tons (MT) from July to September this year, this is the highest output recorded for the same quarter since 2010, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Wednesday.

The latest figure is 43.5% higher than the 16,688.59 MT recorded in the third quarter of 2025.

In the third quarter of 2026, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) emerged as the country’s top producer of ampalaya with 7,225.38 MT.

It was followed by Calabarzon with 4,120.11 MT, Central Luzon with 2,450.12 MT, Ilocos Region with 1,330.43 MT, and Cagayan Valley with 1,163.60 MT.

According to the Department of Agriculture, ampalaya is a good source of vitamins A, B, C, iron, folic acid, phosphorus, and calcium.

It is a common ingredient in the popular Ilocano dish, Pinakbet, which is known for its varied mix of vegetables.

In 2024, the Institute of Herbal Medicine (IHM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) created a medicine tablet developed from ampalaya to treat type 2 diabetes. —RF, GMA News