towards Isa Jane D. Acabal
Trade of the Philippines dechifeature between goods were reduced in September, as exports posted double-digit growth, Philippine figures Authority (PSA) reported Thursday.
The first data from the PSA showed the balance of trade in the construction of the country – among other countries and imports – stood at a deficit of $ 4.35 billion in September, 14.7% Deficit a year earlier.
Month-to-month, the trade gap widened to a two-month high since Reviked $3.99 billion in August.
The latest figure was a very wide reduction from the Gap of $ 4.42-billion in July 2025.
In the January-to-September period, the trade deficit was reduced to $37.18 billion, down 5.7% from the Gap of $39.43-billion in the same period last year.
The country’s trade balance has been in Deficit for more than ten years or since the $64.95-Million Surplus recorded in May 2015.
Total sales of Philippine-made goods rose 15.9% year-on-year in September to
It was the fastest pace of exports in two months or since 17.6% growth in July.
Year to date, exports increased by 13.1% to $63.02 billion.
On the other hand, retail imports jumped by 2.1% year-on-year in September, which is a change from aust 0.3% that was renewed in August but less than the expansion of 10.1% in the previous year.
The import bill in September reached $11.6 billion – the largest in two months from $11.77 billion in July.
In the first nine months, the import of revenues by 5.3% to $ 100.19 billion.
The Development Coordination Committee projects a 2% increase in exports and 3.5% annual import growth.
“The trade deficit has always been reduced by the development of foreign countries which led to the growth of re-imports. The foreign trade (was Marntonio C. Aononia, Economic, Pacific, said the email.
The US began slapping a 19% tariff on most textiles from the Philippines in Aug. 7.
“Inclusion of fees [by the United States] They may initially reduce growth in other countries in August but they may be allowed to move the chains to adjust with some degree of certainty In September,” said Mr Abonia.
The weakness of the peso against the US dollar in September may have also allowed Philippine exports to be more competitive in the world market, he added.
In September, the PESO reached P57.2501 against the dollar, TAD stronger than the average of P57.2525 in August, according to the latest bank data. For the year, the peso depreciated by 2.06% against the US currency, worse than the 0.1% drop in August.
Of the major goods category, manufactured goods made up the largest share of export receipts, rising 15.9% year-on-year to $5.74 billion in September.
Exports of mineral products also rose by 8.9% to $ 703.68 million in September, while petroleum products declined by 17% to $ 22.05 million.
Electronic products continued to be the country’s top commodity, increasing by 27.9% to $4.02 billion and accounting for more than half of exports.
Semiconductors, a subset of electronic products, jumped 32% to $3.05 billion in September. Semiconductor exports are currently exempt from the 19% US tariff.
“Philippine exports remained strong in September, as modest growth in US-bound goods was offset by strong gains in other markets,” Chinabank Research said in a research note.
The United States was the main destination for Philippine-made goods in September, accounting for 15.3% billion of export sales. This was followed by Hong Kong, which accounted for 15.1% billion, China shared $959.19, a share of 1183.33 or $325.78 million.
“Excerents are always supported by electronic exports, maybe to places outside the USA. So it seems that the Philippines has been able to find some places to export so far,” said the chief economist at Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co, said.
Retaliation from admission
Meanwhile, the country’s slow growth in September reflects the impact of the peso’s devaluation.
“Importers are likely to buy less as the price of imported goods is affected by the weakness of the peso,” said Mr. Abonia, adding that bad weather may also have contributed to the increase in imports.
Raw materials and intermediate goods, which make up the bulk of the country’s total imports in September, fell by 4.9% to $4.13 billion.
Imports of capital goods increased by 23.8% to $ 3.77 billion in September, while consumer goods fell by 7.1 billion to $ 2.38 billion.
On the other hand, imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related items decreased by 6.2% to $1.28 billion.
“Imports on the other hand saw lower average shipments of goods placed in receiverships to help increase spending on receiverships.
China continued to be the leading source of imports, accounting for 28.4% or $3.29 billion of total debt in September.
It was followed by South Korea with 9.1% Share or US $ 1.06 billion, Japan with 8.1000% of 7.1% or $ 721.42 million of 6.3% or $ 728.88 million.
Don’t be sure of the idea
George T. Barcelon, chairman of the Chilerce Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a Viber message that more imports are coming as companies prepare for the holiday season.
Mr. Mapa said the trade outlook is uncertain, “given the changing tax schedules, but the recovery in capital formation should continue.”
According to Mr. Agonia, export growth could remain healthy in the last quarter of the year, as the depreciation of the peso strengthens the competitiveness of exports.
“However, imports are likely to jump as the holiday season begins, and the national government tightens its spending strategies. We could experience a large trade deficit as a result,” he said.
Chinabank research expects that the negative trade deficit in September will have a positive impact on the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter.
PSA will release its third GDP report on November 7.
