Exporters in the Philippines are warning of looming business closures as surging fuel costs and persistent supply chain disruptions strain operations, with many firms saying they may last only a few months without urgent government support.
The Philippines’ agricultural trade in February 2026 posted modest growth, but persistent import dependence kept the sector firmly in deficit, highlighting ongoing structural challenges in domestic food production.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is stepping up support for exporters while keeping a close watch on global developments that could disrupt trade and logistics, as Philippine exports continue their growth streak.
The Philippines’ external trade in goods rose 10.7 percent year on year to USD18.34 billion in February 2026, driven by solid export growth but a faster expansion in imports that widened the trade deficit.
The Philippines’ agricultural trade deficit narrowed sharply in December, buoyed by a strong rebound in farm exports and a pullback in imports, offering a late-year boost to the country’s external trade position.
The Philippines will use its ASEAN chairmanship to push for stronger regional safeguards against energy supply disruptions and faster cross-border power connectivity as Southeast Asian energy ministers meet in Manila this week.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that around 300,000 farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural haulers will receive ₱3 billion in fuel subsidies starting this month, aiding the sector amid El Niño impacts and persistently high fuel costs.
Therma Visayas told lawmakers that it sources coal from Indonesia and uses the Indonesian Coal Index in its power supply agreements, as a House inquiry into electricity reliability in the Visayas turned attention to both supply security and pricing transparency.
The Department of Agriculture is bolstering full-scale preparations for an intense El Niño, applying hard-won experience to safeguard farm output, secure food supplies, and protect farmers and fisherfolk from harm.