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Philippine domestic trade reached 10.17 million tons worth P820.81 billion in the first quarter of 2026, lower than the volume and value recorded in the same period last year
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Domestic trade volume declined 35.3% as all commodities traded via road, water, and air transport posted declines in volume during the period
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Domestic trade value dropped 19.8%, mainly due to the double-digit decline in value for commodities traded through water
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Commodities traded via road transport had the highest share in both volume and value, followed by those traded via water transport, and then air transport
The country’s domestic trade reached 10.17 million tons worth a total of P820.81 billion in the first quarter of 2026, lower than the volume and value recorded in the same period last year, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The January-March 2026 volume was 35.3% down from the 15.72 million tons reported in the same period last year. The drop comes as all commodities traded via road, water, and air transport posted declines in volume during the period.
The volume of commodities traded by road during the first quarter was at 5.15 million tons, accounting for 50.6% of the total volume for the period. It was, however, a decline of 20.1% from the 6.44 million tons traded via road in the same quarter of 2025.
Similarly, the volume of commodities traded by water fell 45.9% to 5.02 million tons from 9.28 million tons in the first quarter of 2025.
The volume of commodities traded by air likewise dropped 19.9% to 4,571.51 tons from 5,710.16 tons in the first quarter of 2025.
Value
In terms of value, the P820.81 billion posted in the first quarter this year was 19.8% down from the P1.02 trillion in the same period last year, mainly due to the double-digit decline in value for commodities traded through water.
The value of commodities traded by road reached P526.11 billion or a share of 64.1% of the total. It was also an increase of 1.2% compared with the P520.04 billion registered in the same period in 2025.
Commodities traded by air were valued at P0.57 billion, indicating a 7% growth from the P0.53 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
The value of commodities traded by water, on the other hand, decreased 41.6% to P294.12 billion from P503.28 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
By commodity section, mineral products recorded the highest outflow volume of traded commodities with 3.07 million tons or 30.2% share to the total. This was followed by prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body with 2.50 million tons (24.6%), and vegetable products with 2.40 million tons (23.6%).
Arms and ammunition, and parts and accessories thereof, on the other hand, recorded the lowest outflow volume of 0.22 tons during the period.
Regions
Across regions, Davao Region registered the highest outflow volume of traded commodities with 1.94 million tons or 19.1% of the total. Central Luzon followed with 1.61 million tons (15.8%), and CALABARZON with 1.53 million tons (15.1%).
Cordillera Administrative Region recorded the lowest outflow volume of 1,126.89 tons (0.01%) during the period.
In terms of inflow, the National Capital Region (NCR) posted the highest inflow volume of 2.36 million tons or a 23.2% share to the total. Ranking second was SOCCSKSARGEN with an inflow volume of 1.73 million tons (17.0%), and Central Luzon with 1.13 million tons (11.1%).
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) recorded the lowest inflow volume of 0.05 million tons (0.5%) during the period.
Regions with the most favorable trade balances during the first quarter were Davao Region, Ilocos Region, and Central Luzon. In contrast, NCR, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Zamboanga Peninsula had the most negative trade balance during the first quarter.
Value-wise, machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles recorded the highest outflow value of traded commodities with P200.96 billion or 24.5% share to the total in the first quarter of 2026.
This was followed by optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments; parts and accessories thereof with P118.70 billion (14.5%); and prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body with PhP 117.36 billion (14.3%).
Arms and ammunition, and parts and accessories thereof recorded the lowest outflow value of P0.57 million during the period.
CALABARZON had the highest outflow value of traded commodities amounting to P331.62 billion or 40.4% of the total, followed by Central Visayas with P100.50 billion (12.2%), and Davao Region with P98.41 billion (12%) worth of traded commodities.
CAR registered the lowest outflow value during the period with P0.72 billion.
NCR, meanwhile, also posted the highest inflow value of P357.73 billion (43.6% share) followed by SOCCSKSARGEN with P93.30 billion (11.4%), and Negros Island Region with P85.33 billion (10.4%).
CAR again also recorded the lowest inflow value with P0.49 billion.
In terms of trade balance based on value, CALABARZON, Central Visayas, and Davao Region topped while NCR, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Negros Island Region had the most negativetrade balances.
