Domestic trade value rises 5.2% in Q4

MANILA, Philippines - Goods traded within the country grew 5.2 percent in terms of value in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

The preliminary results of the agency’s Commodity Flow in the Philippines report showed the total value of domestic trade went up to P149.18 billion in the October to December period from the P141.76 billion in the comparable period in 2012.

“Shipment through water was the foremost mode of transport comprising 99.7 percent and 99.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 2013 respectively,” the PSA said.

While the value of commodities traded within the country rose year-on-year, the total quantity of transactions posted a 9.6 percent decline.

Domestic trade transactions fell in terms of volume to 4.56 million tons in the fourth quarter from the 5.04 million tons reported in the same period of 2012.

Among the commodities traded within the country for the period, food and live animals had the largest chunk or 32.3 percent share, valued at P48.16 billion.

Accounting for the second biggest share at 18.3 percent was machinery and transport equipment worth P27.26 billion, followed by manufactured

goods classified chiefly by materials which had a 13.9 percent share

worth P20.69 billion.

By region, most of the traded commodities for the period came from the National Capital Region (NCR) with the value of transactions amounting to P44.28 billion or 29.7 percent of the total for the period.

Central Visayas placed second with P25.43 billion or a 17 percent share followed by Western Visayas with P20.41 billion or 13.7 percent share and Northern Mindanao which accounted for P18.72 billion or 12.5 percent.

Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with transactions valued only at P20,000.

In the fourth quarter, the NCR posted the most favorable trade balance at P18.59 billion.

Other regions which exceeded the billion positive trade balance were: Central Luzon (P8.03 billion),  Bicol Region (P1.53 billion) and SOCCSKSARGEN (P1.27 billion).

On the other hand, regions which posted negative trade balance for the period were Eastern Visayas (P5.11 billion), Zamboanga Peninsula (P4.60 billion), Central Visayas (P4.50 billion), CALABARZON (P4.49 billion), MIMAROPA (P3.34 billion), Caraga (P2.74 billion), Western Visayas (P1.94 billion), and Davao Region (P1.28 billion).