Platform will measure Puerto Rico's agricultural production index

Thousands of farmers and citizens are expected to benefit from this tool.

April 19, 2023. The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute presented a new tool that will facilitate access to agricultural statistics and will allow us to know which products within local agriculture are in greater or lower demand in Puerto Rico. The platform of Statistics and Indicators of Agricultural Production in Puerto Rico, whose primary source of data was provided by the Department of Agriculture, and which will benefit thousands of farmers and citizens, includes: Production and Demand indices for tubers, meat, farinaceae, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, milk and dairy products. As for production rates, the platform allows us to know aspects such as export vs. import. The demand indices, on the other hand, include data on per capita consumption vs. per capita production. The tool also includes agricultural statistics such as agricultural activities, losses and producers of small ruminants, as well as a metadata area for the definition of concepts. This platform, as reported, collects data from 1990 to 2021 and its constant updating will allow us to compare how the production of products such as Chinese, bananas, coffee, among others, behaves.

One of the aspects highlighted by the platform of Statistics and Indicators of Agricultural Production in Puerto Rico is the decline in local coffee production. According to data obtained by the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, in 1990 local coffee production was 280,000 quintals, while in 2020 production decreased to 28,943 quintals. According to Manuel Mangual Martínez, Data and Statistics Specialist and Project Supervisor at the Institute, this decrease in production could, among other things, be the result of situations such as the passage of Hurricane Maria, which caused significant coffee losses since 2017, reaching its lowest point in 2019 with a production of 12,127 quintals.

“For several reasons, access to agricultural statistical information in Puerto Rico has been an enormous challenge for farmers, researchers and the general public. With this platform, the Institute provides all citizens, and especially farmers, with fast and universal access to data and statistics on food production and demand in Puerto Rico, in one place, accessible 24/7 from anywhere in the world. Access to these statistics will make it easier to make decisions based on empirical evidence, that promote food security in Puerto Rico,” said the Executive Director of the Institute, Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores. Dr. Disdier also reported that the platform will continue to evolve and will have more information in the future.

The platform of Statistics and Indicators of Agricultural Production in Puerto Rico is available through the following link: Puerto Rico Agricultural Production Statistics and Index.

The Puerto Rico Statistics Institute is a governmental entity in the executive branch, with fiscal and administrative autonomy, whose main purpose is to ensure that Puerto Rico has complete, reliable statistics that are quickly and universally accessible. To learn more about the Institute of Statistics, you can access the website: www.estadisticas.pr.gov. On social media through Facebook accounts (@statistics.pr), Twitter (@EstadisticasPR), Instagram (@institutodeestadisticas) and LinkedIn (Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics).

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The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics will provide guidance on how to access and interpret Puerto Rico's financial statistics in the "Financial Statistics" webinar this Thursday, May 21.

The Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics announced it will host the "Financial Statistics" webinar, an educational initiative aimed at presenting and contextualizing the main indicators of Puerto Rico's financial system, as well as the official sources available for their analysis and interpretation.

The event will take place this Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as part of the Institute's Academies and Workshops Program. The webinar will be offered virtually via the GoToWebinar platform, will include 1.5 contact hours and will be free of charge, although prior registration is required via the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8839159147111590485.

The speaker will be the Institute's statistical projects manager, Dr. Ronald G. Hernández Maldonado, who will discuss indicators published by entities such as the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIF), the Public Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives of Puerto Rico (COSSEC), and the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics itself.

Topics to be discussed include the main data sources for financial statistics used in Puerto Rico, the interpretation of economic and financial indicators, and the official platforms where the public can access this information for analysis, research, and decision-making.

“Financial statistics provide a better understanding of the behavior of various economic sectors and facilitate informed decision-making in both public and private spheres. Access to and understanding of this data is fundamental for promoting more precise analyses of Puerto Rico's economic reality and strengthening the use of official and reliable information,” said Hernández Maldonado.

"Financial education based on empirical data is the first step towards more accurate decision-making, both personally and collectively. We encourage all citizens to participate in this free virtual event, designed to make financial statistics an accessible, useful, and highly valuable tool for everyone,” said Dr. Orville M. Disdier Flores, Executive Director of the Institute.

The webinar is aimed at professionals, researchers, students, and individuals interested in the economic and financial analysis of Puerto Rico. As requirements, participants must have an internet connection and access to a computer or tablet.

The purpose of this survey is to collect data on aspects related to COVID-19 in businesses in Puerto Rico. Having frequent and updated data will allow businesses to take all necessary steps to maintain services securely, effectively and efficiently.

This survey is encouraged to be completed twice a week, preferably on Mondays and Fridays before 3:00 p.m. The survey consists of a total of 20 questions and takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. It is recommended that this survey be completed by administrative or management staff.

You can access this survey at: Survey - COVID 19 - Business

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