The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s monthly merchandise trade reached a record high of US$24.90 billion in September 2026, a 29.5 % increase over the same month in 2025. Exports climbed 35.6 % to US$9.87 billion, up from US$7.28 billion in September 2025. Imports rose 25.7 % to US$15.03 billion, compared with US$11.95 billion a year earlier. The trade deficit widened to US$5.15 billion, a 10.3 % rise year‑on‑year. Electronic products dominated the export basket, accounting for US$6.92 billion (70.1 % of total exports). Manufactured goods represented the largest share of exports at US$8.48 billion (85.9 % of total shipments). The United States was the Philippines’ largest export market, purchasing US$2.63 billion worth of goods, followed by Hong Kong (US$1.55 billion), China (US$1.12 billion), Vietnam (US$785.15 million) and Japan (US$619.17 million). On the import side, electronic products again led, with US$5.80 billion (38.6 % of total imports). Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials were the next largest category at US$1.97 billion. South Korea was the top source of imports, supplying US$3.92 billion, followed by China with US$3.36 billion. For the first nine months of 2026, exports totaled US$73.95 billion, up 17.2 % from the same period in 2025, while imports reached US$121.11 billion, a 20.3 % increase. Both figures are the highest nine‑month totals recorded since the PSA began tracking the series in 1991.
Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune