THE Philippines’ exports grew 15.9 percent in September while the trade deficit continued to narrow despite the implementation of US tariffs, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicated.
Based on the International Merchandise Trade Statistics of the Philippines, the country’s exports grew 15.9 percent to $7.25 billion from the $6.26 billion in the same month a year ago.
Meanwhile, the balance of trade in goods, the difference between the value of exports and imports in September 2025, amounted to $4.35 billion, indicating a trade deficit with an annual decline of 14.7 percent.
From January to September 2025, the country’s outbound shipments amounted to $63.02 billion, up 13.1 percent from the $55.71 billion in the nine-month period a year ago.
By commodity group, PSA noted that electronic products continued to be the country’s top exports in September 2025, with earnings of $4.02 billion-or 55.5 percent of the country’s exports pie in the said period.
This was followed by other mineral products, with an export value of $413.79 million (5.7 percent), and other manufactured goods with $375.10 million (5.2 percent).
As to the country’s trading partners, PSA data noted that exports to the United States of America (USA) comprised the highest export value amounting to $1.11 billion, or 15.3 percent of the country’s exports in September 2025.
This was closely followed by Hong Kong, $1.10 billion or 15.1 percent share; People’s Republic of China, $959.19 million or 13.2 percent share; Japan, $883.33 million or 12.2 percent share; and The Netherlands, $325.78 million or 4.5 percent share.
By economic bloc, PSA said much of the country’s merchandise exports in September 2025 went to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries with a share of $5.91 billion or 81.5 percent of the country’s total exports.
This was followed by East Asia at $3.55 billion (48.9 percent), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) valued at $3.21 billion (44.3 percent).