Davao Oriental is primarily a livestock production area. Land areas and the climatic conditions are very ideal for livestock production.

Major livestock commodities are goats, cattle, swine poultry (native and layer) and sheep.

Estimated total cost economic value of major livestock and poultry commodity in the province reach P 1.8 billion based on 2007 inventory of the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. More than 90% of the industries are from the backyard sector, commercial farms constitute only a portion of the overall population.