Philippine Domestic Trade Volume Reaches 9.85 Million Tons in Fourth Quarter 2025
According to initial data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, domestic trade volume in the Philippines hit 9.85 million tons during the fourth quarter of 2025. Road transport emerged as the dominant mode, accounting for the largest share of shipments across the country.
Transport Modes: Road Leads, Water and Air Decline
Commodities transported by road comprised 54.9 percent of the total volume, equivalent to 5.41 million tons. Water transport followed with 4.44 million tons or 45 percent, while air cargo contributed a minimal 5.67 thousand tons, representing just 0.1 percent of the total.
However, the data revealed significant year-on-year declines for other modes. Shipments by water fell by 32.5 percent from 6.57 million tons in the same quarter of 2024. Similarly, air cargo volume decreased by 13.3 percent from 6.54 thousand tons a year earlier.
Regional Outflows and Inflows: Calabarzon and NCR Top Lists
By region, Calabarzon posted the highest outflow volume at 3.37 million tons, representing 34.2 percent of total domestic trade. It was followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with 1.59 million tons (16.2 percent) and Central Visayas with 1.09 million tons (11.1 percent). The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded the smallest outflow at 0.01 million tons.
In terms of inflow, the NCR led with 2.21 million tons or 22.4 percent of the total. Calabarzon followed with 1.49 million tons (15.1 percent), while Northern Mindanao logged 1.04 million tons (10.5 percent). The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao posted the lowest inflow at 0.03 million tons.
Trade Balance and Value: Surpluses and Deficits Across Regions
Calabarzon registered the largest favorable trade balance in volume terms at 1.88 million tons. It was followed by Eastern Visayas with 0.46 million tons and Central Visayas with 0.22 million tons. Meanwhile, Central Luzon posted the widest deficit at -0.66 million tons, followed by NCR (-0.62 million tons) and Zamboanga Peninsula (-0.32 million tons).
In value terms, domestic trade amounted to P562.76 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025. Road transport accounted for the majority at 57.6 percent or P324.36 billion. Water shipments were valued at P238.04 billion (42.3 percent), down 12.8 percent year-on-year from P272.88 billion. Air cargo was valued at P363 million, up 0.4 percent from a year ago.
Calabarzon again led in outflow value at P193.43 billion (34.4 percent), followed by NCR at P115.51 billion (20.5 percent) and Northern Mindanao at P51.90 billion (9.2 percent). Zamboanga Peninsula recorded the lowest outflow value at P1.63 billion.
For inflows, NCR topped the list at P149.83 billion (26.6 percent), followed by Calabarzon at P83.12 billion (14.8 percent) and Northern Mindanao at P58.52 billion (10.4 percent). The CAR recorded the lowest inflow value at P1.20 billion.
Calabarzon posted the largest favorable trade balance in value terms at P110.31 billion, followed by Eastern Visayas at P29.21 billion and the Negros Island Region at P12.32 billion. On the other hand, NCR recorded the widest trade deficit at P34.32 billion, followed by the Davao Region at P21.22 billion and Western Visayas at P20.51 billion.
