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Philippine exports grew 6.3% year-on-year to $7.21 billion in April 2026, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority
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January-April 2026 cumulative exports: $29.93 billion, up from $26.93 billion in the same period last year, the highest four-month total in over four years
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Electronics led with $3.44 billion (47.7% of total), driven by AI and IoT demand
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Other top earners: other mineral products, machinery and transport equipment
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Machinery and transport equipment posted the highest annual growth rate among commodity groups
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Top export destination: United States ($1.30B, 18%), followed by China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore
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Department of Trade and Industry flag external risks: Middle East geopolitical tensions, oil supply pressure, and foreign exchange volatility
Philippine merchandise exports rose 6.3% year-on-year to US$7.21 billion in April 2026, extending the country’s growth streak to 16 consecutive months and underscoring the resilience of export demand amid evolving global trade conditions, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Cumulative exports from January through April reached $29.93 billion, compared with $26.93 billion in the same period of 2025, the highest four-month export haul recorded in more than four years.
The quarterly run-up has been marked by accelerating gains: January exports rose 8.7% to $7.09 billion, February climbed 8.9% to $7.33 billion, and March surged 20.8% to $8.17 billion before April’s more moderate advance.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secretary Cristina Roque credited sustained government effort for keeping exporters competitive as the global trade landscape shifts.
“As the international trade environment continues to evolve, it is important that our exporters are prepared to adapt to new requirements and challenges,” Roque said in a statement. “We continue to collaborate closely with industry partners, the private sector, and international organizations to help Philippine exporters become more competitive, market-ready, and globally connected.”
Electronic products again anchored the export basket, generating $3.44 billion, nearly half, or 47.7%, of total April shipments. The PSA attributed the strong electronics performance to robust demand for consumer electronics, telecommunication, and office equipment used in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), underscoring the Philippines’ embedded role in global electronics supply chains.
Other significant contributors included other mineral products at $458.95 million and machinery and transport equipment at $423.36 million.
READ: PH exports reach record high at $8.17B in March 2026
Among all commodity groups, machinery and transport equipment registered the steepest annual percentage gain, followed by coconut oil and other mineral products, a spread that officials said signals broad-based expansion rather than reliance on a single sector. Coconut-based exports continued to draw strength from global appetite for food ingredients and plant-based alternatives.
The United States retained its position as the Philippines’ single largest export market in April, absorbing $1.30 billion worth of goods, or 18.0% of total. China ranked second at $926.66 million, followed closely by Japan at $914.64 million and Hong Kong at $914.59 million. Singapore rounded out the top five at $332.75 million.
To maintain the momentum, the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau has rolled out a slate of support programs, including sustainability and traceability workshops conducted in partnership with the International Trade Centre and the European Union under the Climate Competitiveness Project, women-focused export readiness sessions, and small-business training on logistics, customs, and digital trade under the Regional Trade for Development initiative and DHL GoTrade.
The agency is also providing Halal certification assistance and deploying its network of Philippine Trade and Investment Centers to connect exporters with new markets through trade fairs, business matching, and trade missions.
Despite the upbeat numbers, the DTI cautioned that headwinds persist. Geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing Middle East crisis, continue to strain oil supply chains, while foreign exchange volatility poses mixed consequences for exporters depending on their import input costs.
The DTI said it will continue monitoring global developments and working with industry stakeholders to broaden market diversification and help exporters weather external disruptions.
READ: Business groups ask gov’t to help minimize Middle East crisis impact
