Philippine exports in August 2025 rose 4.6 percent year-on-year to USD7.06 billion, led by electronics, gold, and mineral products—offering a bright spot amid weakening global trade.
Imports in August declined in 4.9 percent to USD10.60 billion, narrowing the country’s trade deficit to USD3.54 billion. Weaker import demand—while improving the balance—may reflect softer domestic activity or delays in investment-related purchases. Imports accounted for 60 percent of total trade in August, with exports making up the rest.
Electronic products remained the country’s top export, bringing in USD3.87 billion or 55 percent of total exports. Gold exports rose by USD160.37 million, while other mineral products added USD112.09 million in value. Manufactured goods dominated the export basket, contributing 79 percent of total outbound shipments.
Exports to Hong Kong led all destinations, valued at USD1.19 billion, followed by the U.S. (USD1.09 billion), Japan (USD979 million), China (USD849 million), and Taiwan (USD292 million).
On the import side, the biggest declines came from mineral fuels and lubricants, down USD611.83 million, followed by drops in metalliferous ores and cereals.
Electronic products remained the top import at USD2.74 billion, or 26 percent of the total.
The resilience of exports—particularly electronics—suggests some insulation from global headwinds, but the sharp drop in imports raises concerns about weakening investment and consumption. The shrinking trade gap helps headline figures, but risks signaling a slowdown in domestic economic momentum heading into the final quarter of the year.
