Data Insights

In summary, the Philippines' trade values for April 2026 showed a mixed performance. Total imports reached 13.96B USD, reflecting a modest increase of 71.31M USD (0.51%) from the previous month, while year-on-year imports surged by 2.6B USD (22.91%). Exports, however, faced a significant decline, totaling 7.21B USD, down by 983.43M USD (-12.00%) month-on-month, but showing a slight increase of 424.37M USD (6.26%) year-on-year. The overall trade balance indicates a challenging export environment despite strong import growth.

In April 2026, the Philippines experienced notable changes in trade values. For imports, the top three countries with the highest value changes were the United Arab Emirates (up by 362.08M USD, a 45.07% increase), China (up by 325.66M USD, a 0.09% increase), and Egypt (up by 276.53M USD, a staggering 351.1% increase). Conversely, the lowest changes were seen with Russia (down by 174.37M USD, a 95.87% decrease), Thailand (down by 163.11M USD, a 25.31% decrease), and Indonesia (down by 154.33M USD, a 15.63% decrease). For exports, Italy led with an increase of 20.7M USD (a 57.30% increase), followed by Spain (up by 20.51M USD, a 92.96% increase), and Turkey (up by 15.49M USD, a 57.36% increase). The lowest changes in exports were from Hong Kong (down by 388.55M USD, a 29.82% decrease), Chinese Taipei (down by 155.86M USD, a 39.64% decrease), and the United States (down by 107.97M USD, a 7.69% decrease). Overall, total imports increased by 71.31M USD (0.51%), while total exports decreased by 983.43M USD (-12.00%).

Year on year, imports from China saw the highest increase of 843.11M USD (25.69%), followed by South Korea with an increase of 649.29M USD (66.98%), and Malaysia with 379.76M USD (85.76%). The lowest changes were from Thailand (down by 157.52M USD, a 24.63% decrease), Vietnam (down by 69.21M USD, a 12.15% decrease), and Kuwait (down by 68.15M USD, a 99.99% decrease). In terms of exports, the United States had the highest increase of 265.02M USD (25.72%), followed by China with 224.41M USD (32.95%), and Malaysia with 93.93M USD (50.05%). The lowest changes were from Canada (down by 408.87M USD, a 85.41% decrease), Vietnam (down by 80.44M USD, a 46.11% decrease), and Thailand (down by 18.22M USD, a 8.12% decrease). Overall, total imports increased by 2.6B USD (22.91%), while total exports increased by 424.37M USD (6.26%).

Overall, the Philippines' trade environment in 2026 shows a mixed picture. While imports have seen a significant year-on-year increase, the month-on-month figures indicate a decline, particularly in key trading partners like China and Australia. Exports have shown consistent growth both month-on-month and year-on-year, particularly with strong performances from the United States and Japan. The total trade value reflects a healthy increase, but the recent corruption scandal and trade challenges may impact future performance.

In the month-on-month analysis, the total trade value for the Philippines saw a decrease in imports by 518.89M USD, resulting in a total of 11.61B USD, which is a decline of approximately 4.28%. Exports, on the other hand, increased by 187.69M USD, totaling 7.33B USD, reflecting a growth of about 2.63%. For imports by country, South Korea led with a significant increase of 114.89M USD (8.75%), while China experienced a notable decline of 262.48M USD (-7.43%). In terms of product categories, Integrated Circuits saw the highest increase of 355.81M USD (32.27%), while Small shipments in extra trade (Chapter 98) faced a substantial drop of 314.99M USD (-45.36%). In exports, the United States had the highest increase of 247.94M USD (21.30%), while South Korea faced a decrease of 110.81M USD (-28.00%). Among product categories, Small shipments in extra trade (Chapter 98) surged by 706.77M USD (11,268.50%), while exports of Military Wearing Apparel saw a complete drop to zero, indicating a significant decline.

Year-on-year, the total trade value for imports increased by 1.66B USD, reaching 11.61B USD, which is a growth of approximately 16.72%. Exports also saw a rise of 1.08B USD, totaling 7.33B USD, reflecting a growth of about 17.25%. In imports by country, South Korea had the highest increase of 728.77M USD (104.20%), while Australia faced a decline of 157.79M USD (-55.73%). For product categories, Integrated Circuits led with an increase of 854.96M USD (141.68%), while Commodities not elsewhere specified dropped to zero, indicating a significant decline. In exports, the United States again led with an increase of 425.38M USD (43.10%), while the Netherlands experienced a decrease of 19.70M USD (-5.66%). Among product categories, Small shipments in extra trade (Chapter 98) surged by 769.49M USD (inf), while exports of Commodities not elsewhere specified dropped to zero, indicating a significant decline.

Overall, the Philippines' trade values in January 2026 showed a mixed performance. Imports increased by 475.09 million USD (4.08%) month-on-month and 29.75 million USD (0.25%) year-on-year, while exports rose by 116.69 million USD (1.66%) month-on-month and 771.3 million USD (12.11%) year-on-year. The total trade flow indicates a positive trend in exports, despite some declines in specific import categories.

In January 2026, the Philippines experienced a month-on-month increase in trade values. Imports totaled 12.13 billion USD, reflecting a growth of 475.09 million USD, which is a 4.08% increase. The top three countries contributing to this growth were Japan (1.02 billion USD, +218.2 million USD, +27.14%), South Korea (1.31 billion USD, +210.25 million USD, +19.06%), and China (3.53 billion USD, +180.23 million USD, +5.38%). Conversely, the bottom three were Saudi Arabia (16.92 million USD, -251.33 million USD, -93.69%), France (100.77 million USD, -178.89 million USD, -63.97%), and Bulgaria (1.51 million USD, -72.61 million USD, -97.96%). Exports totaled 7.14 billion USD, with a modest increase of 116.69 million USD, or 1.66%. The leading contributors were South Korea (395.05 million USD, +120.26 million USD, +43.77%), Hong Kong (1.12 billion USD, +71.2 million USD, +6.73%), and Germany (337.06 million USD, +53.75 million USD, +18.9%). The bottom three were Japan (880.01 million USD, -98.56 million USD, -10.07%), China (705.74 million USD, -87.48 million USD, -10.96%), and Singapore (282.09 million USD, -48.24 million USD, -14.64%).

Year-on-year, the Philippines' imports in January 2026 reached 12.13 billion USD, showing a significant increase of 29.75 million USD, or 0.25%. The top contributors were South Korea (1.31 billion USD, +417.04 million USD, +46.53%), Australia (312.81 million USD, +85.84 million USD, +37.82%), and Japan (1.02 billion USD, +54.98 million USD, +5.67%). The bottom three were Saudi Arabia (16.92 million USD, -220.93 million USD, -92.67%), the United Arab Emirates (72.6 million USD, -138.89 million USD, -65.67%), and Canada (53.46 million USD, -109.43 million USD, -67.71%). Exports totaled 7.14 billion USD, with a notable increase of 771.3 million USD, or 12.11%. The leading countries were Hong Kong (1.12 billion USD, +400.03 million USD, +55.17%), South Korea (395.05 million USD, +132.37 million USD, +50.39%), and Chinese Taipei (324.1 million USD, +124.55 million USD, +62.42%). The bottom three were Australia (45.55 million USD, -117 million USD, -72.24%), Japan (880.01 million USD, -66.05 million USD, -6.97%), and Ireland (9.77 million USD, -33.56 million USD, -77.44%).

Overall, the analysis indicates a positive trend in the Philippines' trade values for both imports and exports. The total imports increased by approximately 133.68 million USD (1.16%) month-on-month and 1.3 billion USD (12.59%) year-on-year. Exports also showed growth, with a month-on-month increase of 99.54 million USD (1.44%) and a year-on-year rise of 1.37 billion USD (24.20%). This reflects a robust trade performance despite some declines in specific countries and product categories.

In the month-on-month analysis, the total trade value for imports increased by approximately 133.68 million USD, reflecting a growth of about 1.16%. The top three countries contributing to this increase were Saudi Arabia with a significant rise of 203.79 million USD (3.16%), China with an increase of 190.32 million USD (6.03%), and Germany with a growth of 74.03 million USD (37.10%). Conversely, the bottom three countries showing declines were Indonesia with a drop of 118.47 million USD (-13.34%), Japan with a decrease of 88.7 million USD (-9.99%), and Kuwait with a significant decline of 73.75 million USD (-99.84%). For exports, the total value increased by 99.54 million USD, or 1.44%. The top contributors were Japan with an increase of 106.29 million USD (12.18%), China with 92.59 million USD (13.19%), and Switzerland with 40.74 million USD (67.87%). The bottom three were Hong Kong with a decrease of 114.98 million USD (-9.87%), the United States with a drop of 55.02 million USD (-4.71%), and Italy with a decline of 39.9 million USD (-78.19%).

In the year-on-year analysis, the total imports saw a significant increase of approximately 1.3 billion USD, representing a growth of about 12.59%. The top three countries contributing to this growth were China with an increase of 592.34 million USD (21.49%), South Korea with a rise of 296.1 million USD (36.69%), and Germany with a growth of 125.91 million USD (85.27%). The bottom three countries with declines were Japan with a decrease of 124.99 million USD (-13.45%), Vietnam with a drop of 77.84 million USD (-17.94%), and Peru with a significant decline of 60.16 million USD (-98.17%). For exports, the total value increased by 1.37 billion USD, or 24.20%. The top contributors were Hong Kong with an increase of 439.6 million USD (71.58%), Japan with a rise of 216.39 million USD (28.25%), and the United States with a growth of 162.84 million USD (17.18%). The bottom three were Indonesia with a decrease of 35.5 million USD (-40.09%), Czechia with a drop of 28.93 million USD (-47.39%), and India with a decline of 23.98 million USD (-19.86%).

Overall, the total trade for the Philippines showed a month-on-month increase in imports of 1.39B (12.43%) to reach 12.59B, while exports increased by 211.09M (2.99%) to 7.27B. Year-on-year, imports rose by 512.96M (4.27%) to 12.59B, and exports increased by 1.02B (16.24%) to 7.27B. The trade balance remains a critical area of focus as imports continue to grow at a faster rate than exports.

In the month-on-month analysis, imports from Japan saw the highest increase with a trade value of 1.02B, reflecting a significant value change of 249.76M (32.33% increase). South Korea followed closely with imports valued at 1.14B, increasing by 239.86M (26.52%). Vietnam also showed strong growth with imports of 713.97M, up by 229.57M (47.39%). On the lower end, imports from Hong Kong decreased to 146.67M, down by 40.44M (-21.61%). New Zealand's imports fell to 26.16M, a decrease of 25.42M (-49.27%). Papua New Guinea had the lowest imports at 5.73M, down by 12.36M (-68.33%). For exports, China led with 965.03M, an increase of 115.71M (13.62%). Italy's exports rose to 55.64M, up by 42.44M (321.39%). The Netherlands also saw a rise to 325.84M, increasing by 39.81M (13.92%). Conversely, exports to Hong Kong dropped to 1.1B, down by 93.42M (-7.84%). Japan's exports decreased to 885.79M, down by 93.21M (-9.52%). Switzerland's exports fell to 57.43M, down by 45.76M (-44.43%).

In the year-on-year analysis, imports from China showed the most significant growth, reaching 3.54B with a value change of 548.17M (18.35% increase). South Korea's imports increased to 1.14B, up by 329.5M (40.43%). Vietnam's imports also rose to 713.97M, increasing by 219.08M (44.27%). On the downside, imports from Australia fell to 218.81M, down by 313.86M (-58.92%). Indonesia's imports decreased to 884.96M, down by 292.85M (-24.83%). Brazil's imports dropped to 151.74M, down by 102.66M (-40.38%). For exports, Hong Kong led with 1.1B, increasing by 230.09M (26.53%). China's exports rose to 965.03M, up by 134.57M (16.16%). Chinese Taipei's exports increased to 317.29M, up by 125.45M (65.40%). On the lower end, exports to South Korea fell to 289.32M, down by 29.18M (-9.17%). Exports to Brunei dropped to 692.75K, down by 24.09M (-97.20%). Thailand's exports decreased to 222.36M, down by 23.22M (-9.43%).