Quantity and value of domestic trade increases

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 4.7 percent, resulting to 4.73 million tons from 4.51 million tons reported during the same period of last year. The commodities were traded mostly through water comprising 99.8 percent, the same percentage recorded in the first quarter of 2011.

On the other hand, the total value of commodities flowed within the country increased by 2.7 percent from PhP127.91 billion in the first quarter of 2011 to PhP131.41 billion in the same period of 2012. Shipment through water was the major mode of transport with percentage shares of 99.5 percent and 99.6 percent in the first quarter of 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Food and live animals contributes the biggest share in the total domestic trade value

Among the commodities that were transacted throughout the country in the first quarter of 2012, food and live animals contributed the largest value amounting to PhP37.36 billion (28.4%). Machinery and transport equipment followed next with PhP27.76 billion (21.1%) while manufactured goods classified chiefly by material followed with PhP18.12 billion (13.8%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes shared the least value of PhP1.39 billion (1.1%). (See Table 1)

Likewise, food and live animals dominated the domestic trade in the first quarter of 2011, with a share of 29.8 percent (PhP38.15 billion) of the total value. This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with 20.8 percent share (PhP26.63 billion), manufactured goods classified chiefly by material with a share of 13.4 percent share (PhP17.10 billion). Contributing the least value of PhP2.18 billion (1.7%) was animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes. (See Table 1)

National Capital Region accounts for the largest value of domestic trade

In the first quarter of 2012, most of the traded commodities emanated from National Capital Region with value of domestic trade amounting to PhP38.42 billion (29.2%). Central Visayas came in second with PhP20.36 billion (15.5%), followed by Western Visayas with PhP15.88 billion (12.1%), next was Northern Mindanao with PhP14.67 billion (11.2%) and Central Luzon with PhP13.23 billion (10.1%). Cagayan Valley?s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PhP144 thousand.

Likewise, NCR had the highest domestic trade share at PhP33.48 billion (26.2%) during the first quarter of 2011. Central Visayas came in second with PhP18.67 billion (14.6%), followed by Western Visayas with PhP17.27 billion (13.5%), next was Eastern Visayas with PhP13.97 billion (10.9%) and Northern Mindanao with PhP13.02 billion (10.2%). Cagayan Valley?s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PhP58 thousand.

NCR leads in favorable trade balance

National Capital Region (NCR) posted the most favorable trade balance at PhP14.64 billion in the first quarter of 2012. Other regions which surpassed the billion positive trade balances were Central Luzon (PhP12.86 billion), and Eastern Visayas (PhP4.26 billion). On the other hand, Caraga suffered an unfavorable trade balance of negative PhP9.33 billion. Other regions with more than a billion negative trade balances were Central Visayas (PhP5.13 billion), Zamboanga Peninsula (PhP4.90 billion), CALABARZON (PhP3.78 billion), MIMAROPA (PhP2.34 billion), Western Visayas (PhP2.22 billion), Northern Mindanao (PhP1.97 billion) and SOCCSKSARGEN (PhP1.16 billion).

For the same period in 2011, Central Luzon posted the most favorable balance of trade at PhP11.06 billion. Other regions which surpassed the billion positive trade balance were Eastern Visayas (PhP6.20 billion), NCR (PhP4.21 billion), Western Visayas (PhP2.50 billion), and SOCCSKSARGEN (PhP2.11 billion). On the other hand, Central Visayas suffered an unfavorable trade balance of negative PhP9.27 billion.

Notes:

1. DOMSTAT reports from the following provinces/cities were not yet received as of June 15, 2012, and were not included in this special release:

    

   1. Occidental Mindoro - Coastwise (March 2012)
   2. Romblon - Coastwise (February to March 2012)
   3. Masbate - Coastwise (January to March 2012)
   4. Antique - Coastwise (February 2012)
   5. Davao Oriental - Coastwise (February to March 2012)
   6. Surigao Del Sur - Coastwise (January to March 2012)
   7. Basilan - Coastwise (February to March 2012)
   8. Sulu - Coastwise (January to March 2012)
   9. Tawi-tawi - Coastwise (January to March 2012)

2. Philippine National Railways (PNR) has not resumed its operation.

Source:   National Statistics Office 
                Manila, Philippines