Quantity of domestic trade increases; value slightly decreases

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions in the first quarter of 2013 increased by 26.7 percent, resulting to 5.99 million tons from 4.73 million tons reported during the same period of last year. The commodities were traded mostly through water comprising 99.8 percent and 99.9 percent during the first quarter of 2012 and 2013, respectively.

On the other hand, the total value of commodities flowed within the country decreased by 0.3 percent from PHP131.41 billion in the first quarter of 2012 to PHP131.00 billion in the same period of 2013. Shipment through water was the major mode of transport with percentage shares of 99.6 percent and 99.7 percent in the first quarter of 2012 and 2013, respectively.

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

Among the commodities that were transacted throughout the country in the first quarter of 2013, food and live animals contributed the largest value amounting to PHP38.80 billion (29.6%). Machinery and transport equipment followed next with PHP20.29 billion (15.5%) while manufactured goods classified chiefly by material provided PHP19.48 billion (14.9%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes shared the least value of PHP2.27 billion (1.7%). (See Table 1)

Similarly, food and live animals led the domestic trade in the first quarter of 2012, with a share of 28.4 percent (PHP37.36 billion) of the total value. 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)

National Capital Region accounts for the largest value of domestic trade

In the first quarter of 2013, most of the traded commodities came from National Capital Region with value of domestic trade amounting to PHP35.31 billion (27.0%). Central Visayas was second with PHP23.79 billion (18.2%), followed by Western Visayas with PHP23.71 billion (18.1%), next was Central Luzon with PHP13.60 billion (10.4%) and Northern Mindanao with PHP11.79 billion (9.0%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PHP30 thousand.

Similarly, NCR had the highest domestic trade share at PHP38.42 billion (29.2%) during the first quarter of 2012. 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%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PHP144 thousand.

Central Luzon leads in favorable trade balance

Central Luzon posted the most favorable trade balance at PHP13.04 billion in the first quarter of 2013. Other regions which surpassed the billion positive trade balances were National Capital Region (PHP7.79 billion), Western Visayas (PHP3.10 billion), Bicol Region (PHP1.28 billion) and Central Visayas (PHP1.11 billion). On the other hand, Zamboanga Peninsula suffered an unfavorable trade balance of negative PHP5.94 billion. Other regions with more than a billion negative trade balances were Eastern Visayas (PHP4.17 billion), Northern Mindanao and MIMAROPA (PHP3.92 billion each), CALABARZON (PHP3.56 billion), Davao Region (PHP3.12 billion), and Ilocos Region (PHP1.12 billion).

For the same period in 2012, National Capital Region posted the most favorable balance of trade at PhP14.64 billion. Other regions which surpassed the billion positive trade balance 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.

Notes:

1. DOMSTAT reports from the following provinces/cities were not yet received as of June 19, 2013, and were not included in this special release:
   
   1. Mindoro Occidental – Coastwise (January to March 2013)
   2. Romblon – Coastwise (January to March 2013)
   3. Northern Samar – Coastwise (January to March 2013)
   4. Sulu – Coastwise (January to March 2013)
   5. Tawi-Tawi – Coastwise (January to March 2013)
2. As of first quarter of 2013,the Philippine National Railways (PNR) still has no trade transaction.