The local economy is agriculture-based and 60% of Leyte’s total land area is classified as agricultural. Main products are abaca, coconuts, palay, corn, sugar cane and pineapples. Mining is limited to nearby areas of Isabel for the phosphate and copper mines. Majority of Leyte’s towns are located near the coast so fisheries and shrimp/prawn production is significant. Some inland municipalities have resorted to culturing bangus and tilapia which are highly saleable local varieties of fish. There are just few large-scale industries in Leyte despite its rich mineral and natural resources. The big industries are limited to only two: mining for copper, phosphate production and industrial lime which are mineral-based. The big industries which are agri-based are the production of sugar and molasses, copra oil and pellets production and abaca production. Other than these, most industries are small scale furniture making, ceramic moulding, food preservation, various metal crafts and handicrafts such as toy making, gift making and souvenirs.

Leyte Provincial Capitol
The large-scale industries employ only a small proportion of the local populace while the small-scale enterprises employ more people but offers lower wages. The strategy for Leyte should be based on what it has such as pristine natural beauty ideal and historical landmarks for tourism ventures or leapfrog into the 21st century by building a modern ICT infrastructure as previously discussed. Its over-reliance on agriculture is shown by statistics: 54% of the province’s income comes from agricultural activities. Industry provides just 11% of its income while trade accounts for the remaining 35%. Local trade is mostly in the hands of native Chinese-Filipinos but they are not as aggressive in their investment strategies as their counterparts in other regions of the country such as those in Manila or Cebu who expand on good times and bad. The local population can be enticed to be more entrepreneurial by providing tax incentives and other inducements.