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Philippine merchandise exports grew 19.4% year-on-year to US$7.39 billion in October 2025, its 10th consecutive month of improvement
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This signals strong recovery from the slowdown in the past two years, according to the Department of Trade and Industry
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From January to October 2025, total exports reached $70.43 billion, up 13.8%
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Electronics, still the country’s leading export category, grew by 11.7% to $40.82 billion
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Non-electronics exports posted a 16.8% growth rate to $29.61 billion, driven by the stronger performance in sectors such as manufactured products, minerals, and agro-based good
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Services exports posted a 0.89% contraction in the first half of 2025 to $24.43 billion
Philippine merchandise exports grew 19.4% year-on-year in October 2025, the 10th consecutive month of improvement, signalling a strong recovery from the slowdown in the past two years, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Merchandise exports increased to US$7.39 billion in October 2025 from $6.191 billion in October 2024.
From January to October 2025, total exports reached $70.43 billion, up 13.8% from $61.90 billion in the same period in 2024.
Electronics, still the country’s leading export category, grew by 11.7% to $40.82 billion from $36.54 billion in 2024. DTI said this expansion suggests sustained momentum in semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing, supported by both export diversification and increased orders from major trading partners.
Non-electronics exports, meanwhile, outpaced the growth of electronics, posting a 16.8% growth rate in October. Shipments climbed to $29.61 billion from $25.35 billion, driven by the stronger performance in sectors such as manufactured products, minerals, and agro-based goods.
DTI, in an emailed press release, also noted that the United States’ lifting of the 19% reciprocal tariffs for certain agricultural products benefited the Philippines.
READ: PH agri exports to US now exempt from 19% reciprocal tariff
DTI said with the policy shift, the Philippines’ share of agricultural exports to the U.S. enjoying exemptions from reciprocal tariffs surged from virtually zero to over 65% of covered categories, benefitting high-value products such as coconut oil and derivatives, pineapple and mango preparations, frozen bananas, cassava, baked goods, coffee, and select spices.
Services exports, on the other hand, posted a slight contraction in the first half of 2025.
From January to June 2025, services exports amounted to $24.43 billion, marginally lower than the $24.65 billion recorded in the same period of 2024. This represents a 0.89% decline, reflecting generally stable external demand with minimal year-on-year reduction, DTI noted.
Despite the modest dip, DTI said the overall level of services exports remained largely steady, indicating that major service industries such as information technology-business process management, travel, and transport continued to perform near their 2024 levels, with only a slight softening in its performance during the period.
DTI said overall, the double-digit expansion across major export categories underscores the resilience of the Philippine export sector and signals a positive outlook heading into the final quarter of 2025.
In terms of export destinations, the data highlights the increasingly diversified export landscape, driven by double-digit growth in several major markets.
READ: PH trade deficit narrows to 34.2% in Oct 2025 as export grows
During the opening ceremony of National Exporters’ Week 2025 on November 2, DTI secretary Cristina Roque highlighted the continued upward momentum of Philippine exports despite the global headwinds while reiterating DTI’s commitment to the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023 to 2028 as the country’s roadmap toward a more innovative and competitive export sector.
“The PEDP is more than a policy document. It embodies a collective vision that requires the active participation of every stakeholder,” she said.
“To realize this vision, we must continue to strengthen our export ecosystem which is the foundation of a dynamic and thriving export industry,” she added.
One of the main initiatives of DTI that will be officially launched during the National Exports Congress on December 4 is the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Origin Management System.
The system automates and modernizes origin determination, certification, and document management making it easier for exporters to avail of tariff preferences. Developed through the Philippines and Korea partnership, it is designed to reduce processing time and help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) navigate FTA requirements.
READ: BOC issues rules implementing FTA Origin Management System
In the same occasion, DTI will also launch PHX SOURCE, a comprehensive online discovery platform featuring over 6,000 Philippine exporters and their products and services for global buyers.
Developed in partnership with Qsweep Technologies, the platform will connect exporters with international buyers through a unified directory, real-time analytics, and engagement tools.
PHX SOURCE aims to enhance visibility and expand market access for Philippine exporters, especially MSMEs. — Roumina Pablo
