Domestic trade balance tilts heavily toward Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Domestic trade grew strongly in terms of volume in the first quarter of the year but weakened slightly in terms of value, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

During the reference period, the balance of domestic trade was most in favor of the National Capital Region (NCR) as commodity outflows to other regions far outweighed inflows.

The total quantity of domestic trade during the first quarter of the year totaled 5.54 million tons, up by 8.4 percent from the 5.11 million tons recorded in the first quarter of 2018.

Food and live animals commodities led in terms of quantity, with 1.19 million tons, a  21.5 percent share to total quantity of domestic trade.

Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes commodities had the least contribution to volume with 0.04 million tons.

In terms of value, the total value of domestic trade amounting to P173.75 billion during the first quarter of 2019 marginally decreased by 0.6 percent from P174.88 billion total value in the same quarter of 2018.

Top contributors to trade value were machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, and manufactured goods.

Among the 17 regions’ trade balance – the difference between trade outflow and inflow – was most favorable in NCR at P25.55 billion having registered the greatest commodity outflow among regions. 

Commodity outflow refers to the value of commodities that goes out of regions.

Other regions that had favorable trade balances during the period were: Eastern Visayas, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, ARMM, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

On the other hand, the other regions with negative trade balances were: Caraga Region,Zamboanga Peninsula, CALABARZON, Davao, MIMAROPA, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, Northern Mindanao, and Cagayan Valley.