The total volume of domestic trade reached 15.13 million tons in the second quarter of 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The report indicates a significant reliance on water and road transport, with a notable annual increase in the volume of goods traded by water.
Of the total volume, commodities traded by water accounted for the largest share at 52.1% (7.88 million tons), followed closely by road transport at 47.9% (7.25 million tons). Air transport made up a minor portion, handling just 0.03% of the total volume.
The PPA reveals a robust annual increase in waterborne trade, with the 7.88 million tons recorded in the second quarter of 2025 representing an 18.2% jump from the 6.66 million tons traded in the same period last year. In contrast, the volume of commodities transported by air experienced a sharp decline, falling 32.6% annually from 7.66 thousand tons to 5.16 thousand tons.
Regional Trade Highlights
Regionally, CALABARZON (Region IV-A) registered the highest outflow of traded commodities with 2.49 million tons, accounting for 16.4% of the total. It was followed by Central Luzon (Region III) with 2.34 million tons and Northern Mindanao (Region X) with 2.14 million tons. The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) had the lowest outflow volume at 4.38 thousand tons.
For inflow, the National Capital Region (NCR) led with 2.94 million tons, a 19.4% share of the total. Central Visayas (Region VII) and CALABARZON (Region IV-A) followed with 2.78 million tons and 1.46 million tons, respectively. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the lowest inflow volume.
Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, and CALABARZON recorded the top three most favorable trade balances, while Central Visayas, NCR, and Zamboanga Peninsula had the most unfavorable trade balances.
The total value of domestic trade for the quarter amounted to PhP 1,066.57 billion. Road transport dominated in terms of value, contributing 62.1% of the total, followed by water at 37.8% and air at 0.1%.
