Domestic trade saw a mixed performance in the first quarter of 2025, with a decline in total volume but an increase in total value, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The total volume of domestic trade was 16.05 million tons, while the total value reached PhP 1.23 trillion.
Volume and Value of Domestic Trade
PSA noted that the total volume of goods traded domestically in the first quarter of 2025 was 16.05 million tons. This volume was predominantly moved by water (50.9%) and road (49.1%), with air transport accounting for a negligible 0.03%.
The volume of commodities traded by water fell by 16.3% annually to 8.17 million tons from 9.77 million tons in the same period last year. Similarly, the volume of goods traded by air dropped by 46.2% to 5,420 tons from 10,070 tons in the first quarter of 2024. In contrast, the volume of goods transported by road reached 7.88 million tons.
Despite the decrease in volume, the total value of domestic trade rose to PhP 1.23 trillion. Road transport was the leading mode by value, representing 59.9% of the total, followed by water (40.1%) and air (0.04%). The value of commodities traded by water increased by 2.7% to PhP 492.79 billion, while the value of air-freighted goods surged by 23.6% to PhP 0.47 billion. The value of commodities traded by road was recorded at PhP 736.77 billion.
Regional Trade Highlights
The CALABARZON region recorded the highest outflow volume of traded commodities, with 2.86 million tons, representing a 17.8% share of the total. It was followed by Davao Region and the National Capital Region (NCR), with 2.36 million tons (14.7%) and 2.18 million tons (13.6%), respectively.
In terms of value, Northern Mindanao had the highest outflow, amounting to PhP 325.78 billion, or 26.5% of the total. CALABARZON and NCR followed with outflows valued at PhP 219.81 billion (17.9%) and PhP 151.95 billion (12.4%), respectively.
Trade Balance
A region’s trade balance is the difference between the outflow and inflow of traded commodities. A positive balance indicates a favorable trade position, while a negative balance is unfavorable.
The top three regions with the most favorable (positive) domestic trade balances were:
- CALABARZON (Region IV-A): 1.35 million tons
- Davao Region (Region XI): 1.34 million tons
- Northern Mindanao (Region X): 1.11 million tons
Conversely, the regions with the most unfavorable (negative) trade balances were:
- SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII): -2.19 million tons
- Eastern Visayas (Region VIII): -1.00 million tons
- Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX): -0.76 million tons
