Higher US tariffs and stubbornly high production costs are tightening the vise on Philippine garment exporters, even as shipments are estimated to have topped USD1 billion in 2025.
Philippine export sales at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) cooled to USD269 million, reflecting softer headline numbers but steady underlying demand from Chinese buyers for Filipino food and agricultural products.
Philippine exports to the US—supercharged for months by aggressive front-loading—are expected to return to more typical levels soon as tariff pressures ease and the trade environment settles, according to Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Sykimte.
The Philippines remained a net importer of agricultural products in July, as total import receipts continued to dwarf exports despite a double-digit surge in outbound shipments, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) have identified four priority industries for deeper investment cooperation, as both countries seek to strengthen trade and position their economic zones as complementary gateways to regional markets.
The Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that 56 boxes of Davao durian, weighing 1.08 metric tons and worth around P183,000 ($3,000), have been sent to Oman. The shipment from Engseng Food Products of Davao City is bound for Jeel Almaaly International in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
Petron Corp. reported a 28 percent fall in first-half net income to P3.8 billion from P5.3 billion a year earlier, the company said Tuesday. The decline was mainly due to Middle East tensions pushing crude, import and freight costs higher. Dubai crude averaged $91 a barrel, up 27 percent year-on-year.
Singapore-based Universal Success Enterprises Limited (USEL) is exploring investments in logistics parks and data centers in the Philippines, underscoring growing foreign interest in sectors benefiting from the country's expanding digital economy and infrastructure buildout.