Quantity and value of domestic trade increases

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions in 2012 increased by 13.5 percent, from 19.00 million tons reported in 2011 to 21.57 million tons in 2012. The commodities were traded mostly through water, comprising 99.8 percent of the total domestic trade (Figure 1).

Similarly, the total value of commodities that flowed within the country increased by 15.3 percent, from PHP501.36 billion in 2011 to PHP578.21 billion in 2012. Shipment through water was the major mode of transport with 99.6 percent share (Figure 2).

Food and live animals dominates total domestic trade value

Among the commodities that were transacted throughout the country in 2012, food and live animals contributed the largest value amounting to PHP169.17 billion (29.3%). This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with PHP112.19 billion (19.4%), and manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials with PHP82.26 billion (14.2%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes shared the least value of PHP7.57 billion (1.3%) (See Table A).

Food and live animals led the commodity trading in Luzon with a share of 22.3 percent (PHP55.74 billion) to the total value of commodities traded in the island group. This was followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with PHP55.32 billion (22.1%). Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material placed third with PHP40.05 billion (16.0%) (See Table 4).

In the Visayas, the top three commodity sections, in terms of its contribution to the total value of commodities traded in this island group, were food and live animals machinery and transport equipment, and manufactured goods classified chiefly by material with values PHP69.35 billion (32.6%), PHP57.73 billion (27.1%) and PHP26.09 billion (12.3%), respectively (See Table 4).

On the other hand, food and live animals also topped the list of commodities traded in Mindanao, contributing 38.4 percent (PHP44.07 billion) of the total value of commodities traded in the island group. Machinery and transport equipment ranked second sharing 23.2 percent (PHP26.65 billion). This was followed by manufactured goods classified chiefly by material with PHP16.11 billion (14.0%) (See Table 4).

National Capital Region (NCR) leads value of domestic trade

NCR accounted for the largest share among the regions at 29.3 percent (PHP169.45 billion) in the total value of domestic trade in 2012. Central Visayas was next with transactions amounting to PHP97.78 billion (16.9%). Western Visayas followed closely, contributing PHP77.62 billion (13.4%). Northern Mindanao was on fourth with PHP60.24 billion (10.4%). While Central Luzon ranked fifth with PHP51.04 (8.8%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share with only PHP475 thousand (See Figure 4).

Of the total value of commodities coming from NCR, the major regions of destination were Central Visayas (PHP43.48 billion), Western Visayas (PHP36.63 billion), Northern Mindanao (PHP28.13 billion), Davao Region (PHP20.58 billion), and MIMAROPA (PHP10.17). Meanwhile, the top three commodities traded from NCR were food and live animals, manufactured goods classified chiefly by material, and machinery and transport equipment with values amounting to PHP45.52 billion (26.9%), PHP37.64 (22.2%) and PHP24.58 (14.5%), respectively. (See Table C2).

National Capital Region (NCR) leads in the value of domestic trade

In the first quarter of 2014, NCR reported the highest domestic trade share at PHP49.55 billion (29.2%). Western Visayas was second with PHP38.00 billion (22.4%) followed by Central Visayas with PHP24.52 billion (14.5%) while Northern Mindanao accounted for PHP15.45 billion (9.1%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PHP25 thousand.

In the same way, most of the traded commodities for the first quarter of 2013 came from NCR with value of domestic trade amounting to PHP35.31 billion (27.0%).  Central Visayas was second with PHP23.79 billion (18.2%),followed by Western Visayas with PHP23.71 billion (18.1%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PHP30 thousand.

National Capital Region (NCR) posts the highest favorable trade balance

NCR posted the most favorable balance of trade in 2012 at PHP67.25 billion. Other regions which surpassed the billion positive trade balance were Central Luzon (PHP49.59 billion), and Bicol Region (PHP7.90 billion). On the other hand, Caraga recorded the biggest unfavorable trade balance of negative PHP25.10 billion (See Figure 5).