Commodity flow or domestic trade refers to the flow of commodities through the water, air and rail transport systems in the country. Data on the inflow and outflow of commodities in the different regions of the country are used to construct interregional and inter-industry relation tables. These serve as bases in the formulation and implementation of various regional development programs like countryside development and port planning.

Quantity and value of domestic trade increased 

In the first quarter of 2004, the total quantity of domestic trade increased by 24.6 percent, resulting to 5.31 million tons from 4.26 million tons registered during the same period of last year. Almost all commodities were traded through water during the first quarters of 2004 and 2003.

There was also an increase in the value of commodities traded by 6.0 percent from P74.59 billion in the first quarter 2003 to P79.08 billion in the same period of 2004. Water was the major mode of transport with shares of 99.6 percent during the first quarters of 2003 and 2004.

Almost one-third of total domestic trade was contributed by food and live animals 

The bulk of the value of commodities that flowed throughout the country in the first quarter 2004 came from food and live animals with a value amounting to P21.99 billion (27.8 percent). This was followed by mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with P14.70 billion (18.6 percent). Machinery and transport equipment was next with P12.50 billion (15.8 percent). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes shared the least value of P1.28 billion (1.6 percent) (See Table 1).

Similarly, in the first quarter of 2003, food and live animals dominated the domestic trade with a share of 31.3 percent (P23.33 billion) of the total value. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials was next with a 16.6 percent share (P12.41 billion). This was followed closely by machinery and transport equipment with a share of 16.3 percent (P12.18 billion). Contributing the least was animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes with value amounting only to P551.84 million (See Table 1).

National Capital Region leads in value of domestic trade share 

In the first quarter of 2004, the National Capital Region accounted for 21.9 percent (P17.33 billion), this being the largest share of the total value of domestic trade. This was followed by Central Luzon with P15.05 billion (19.0 percent) domestic trade share. Northern Mindanao was third, contributing P8.63 billion (10.9 percent). Contributing the least was Cagayan Valley with only P16 thousand domestic trade share.

On the other hand, during the first quarter of 2003, Central Luzon had the highest domestic trade share at P14.08 billion (18.9 percent). NCR was next with a total value of P13.08 billion (17.5 percent). Central Visayas came up third with P11.20 billion (15.0 percent). Cagayan Valley remained the least contributing region with only P59 thousand domestic trade share.

Central Luzon posted favorable trade balance 

In the first quarter of 2004, inflows were recorded in Central Luzon at P320.13 million resulting to the most favorable balance of trade at P14.73 billion. Four other regions registered more than a billion positive trade balances: SOCCSKSARGEN (P3.93 billion), Northern Mindanao (P2.58 billion), Eastern Visayas (P2.21 billion), and CALABARZON (P1.77 billion). Inflows for Central Visayas amounted to P12.31 billion resulting to an unfavorable balance of trade of ?P8.05 billion. Other regions with more than a billion negative trade balances amounting to ?P5.08 billion, -P3.77 billion, -P2.81 billion, -P2.03 billion and -P1.34 billion were NCR, Western Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region and Zamboanga Peninsula, respectively.

Likewise, in the first quarter of 2003, Central Luzon realized the most favorable trade balance at P13.46 billion. Other regions that posted more than a billion positive trade balances amounting to P2.68 billion, P2.38 billion and P1.09 billion were SOCCSKSARGEN, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas respectively. On the other hand, NCR suffered the most unfavorable balance of trade of -P8.30 billion.

Source:   National Statistics Office 
                Manila, Philippines