Philippines Trade Gap Smallest in 5 Months

The Philippines’ trade deficit widened to USD 3.7 billion in February 2026 from USD 3.0 billion a year earlier. Imports jumped 12.6% year-on-year to USD 11.0 billion, the fastest pace since June 2025, driven largely by higher purchases of electronic products (+39.3%), including semiconductors (+44.6%), electronic data processing equipment (+41.1%), and office equipment (+26.3%). China accounted for the largest share of imports (28.4%), followed by South Korea (12.5%), Japan (8.5%), and Indonesia (7%). Meanwhile, exports rose a softer 8%, the slowest pace in six months, to USD 7.3 billion, driven by gains in electronic products (+20.5%), machinery and transport equipment (+47.7%), and gold (+132.2%). The US remained the top export destination (19.3%), followed by Hong Kong (16%), Japan (13.5%), and China (9.1%). For the first two months of 2026, the trade deficit edged up slightly to USD 8.0 billion from USD 7.9 billion last year.

The Philippines’ trade deficit narrowed to USD 4.0 billion in January 2026 from USD 4.9 billion a year earlier, as exports rose while imports declined. Exports increased 7.9% year-on-year to USD 7.1 billion, led by higher shipments of electronic products (+18.8%), which remained the country’s top export commodity, accounting for 56.5% of total exports. Outbound shipments also rose for gold (+263%) and machinery and transport equipment (+68.4%). The US accounted for the largest share of exports (16.4%), followed by Hong Kong (15.9%), Japan (12.3%), and China (9.8%). Meanwhile, imports fell 3.1% to USD 11.1 billion, weighed down by lower purchases of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (-25%), transport equipment (-3.3%), and industrial machinery and equipment (-12.2%). China remained the largest source of imported goods (29.2%), followed by South Korea (11.2%), Japan (8.3%), and Indonesia (7.1%).

The Philippines' trade deficit narrowed to USD 3.52 billion in December 2025 from USD 4.15 billion in the same month last year. This was the smallest trade gap since February, as exports rose much faster than imports. Exports surged by 23.3 year-on-year to USD 6.99 billion, led by higher sales of electronic products (43.6%), which remained the country’s top export commodity, accounting for 57.8% of total exports. The US had the largest export share (15.7%), despite a 19% tariff imposed in August. Other major destinations were Hong Kong (15.1%), Japan (14%), and China (11.3%). Meanwhile, imports increased by 7.1% to USD 10.52 billion, largely due to purchases of electronic products (25.8%) and mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (6.3%). China remained the largest supplier of imported goods (28.4%), followed by South Korea (9.8%), Indonesia (6.8%), and Japan (6.8%). In 2025, the country’s trade deficit narrowed to USD 49.17 billion from USD 54.33 billion in 2024.