The Philippines' total external trade in goods surged by 15.3 percent to US$20.85 billion in March this year, up from $18.07 billion in the same month last year, according to preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Highest Trade Since 1991
In its report, the PSA stated that the total external trade in March was the highest recorded since 1991. Imports accounted for 60.8 percent of the total, while exports comprised the remaining 39.2 percent.
Data showed that the balance of trade of goods, or the difference between the value of exports and imports, slightly rose to $4.50 billion from $4.51 billion a year ago.
Exports Surge 20.4%
Exports continued their upward trend, increasing by 20.4 percent to $8.17 billion. Electronic products remained the country's top export during the month, generating $4.82 billion, or nearly 60 percent of total exports.
This was followed by machinery and transport equipment, with export earnings of $407.22 million, and other manufactured goods at $402.73 million.
Top Export Destinations
The United States, Hong Kong, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and Taiwan were the country's top export destinations.
Imports Grow 12.3%
Meanwhile, the total value of imported goods also grew by 12.3 percent to $12.68 billion. Raw materials and intermediate goods accounted for the largest share of imports, totaling $4.60 billion, followed by capital goods and consumer goods.
China remained the country's largest supplier of imported goods, valued at $3.50 billion or 27.6 percent of total imports in March. Other leading sources of imports included South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and the United States.
