Value and quantity of domestic trade declined

The total value of domestic trade in fourth quarter 2002 decreased by 1.6 percent, resulting to P85.60 billion from P87.01 billion in fourth quarter 2001. Most of the commodities were transported via water, with a share of 99.4 and 99.0 percent during the last quarters of 2002 and 2001, respectively. (See Figure 1).

The quantity of commodities traded also dropped by 6.4 percent from 4.86 million tons in fourth quarter 2001 to 4.55 million tons in fourth quarter 2002. The bulk of commodities were traded via water comprising 99.8 percent in fourth quarter 2002 and 99.7 percent in fourth quarter 2001. (See Figure 2).

More than one-third of total domestic trade value is contributed by food and live animals

Among the commodities that flowed throughout the country in fourth quarter 2002, food and live animals contributed the highest total value amounting to P28.47 billion (33.3 percent). Machinery and transport equipment was next with P15.31 billion (17.9 percent). Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material followed with P9.76 billion (11.4 percent). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes shared the least value of P1.24 billion (1.4 percent). (See Figure 3).

Food and live animals likewise dominated the domestic trade in fourth quarter 2001 with a share of 33.4 percent of the total value (29.08 billion). This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with a 16.9 percent share. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials was next with a share of 12.5 percent. Contributing the least was animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes with 1.6 percent share. (See Figure 4).

NCR leads in value of domestic trade share

Most of the traded commodities in the last quarter of 2002 came from NCR with a shared value of domestic trade amounting to P26.52 billion (31.0 percent). The next highest contributing region was Central Luzon with P12.96 billion (15.1 percent) domestic trade share. Eastern Visayas was the next highest, contributing P8.37 billion (9.8 percent). (See Figure 5).

Likewise, during the fourth quarter of 2001 NCR had the highest domestic trade value of P28.26 billion (32.5 percent). Central Luzon remained the second highest contributing region with a total value of P12.61 billion (14.5 percent). Western Visayas came up third at P8.12 billion (9.3 percent). Cagayan Valley remained the least contributing region with 0.0003 percent share. (See Figure 6).

In fourth quarter 2002, Central Luzon posted the most favorable balance of trade at P12.12 billion. Other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances were National Capital Region (P6.80 billion), Central Mindanao (P5.07 billion), Eastern Visayas (P3.23 billion) and Caraga (2.84 billion). Inflow for Central Visayas amounted to P16.26 billion resulting to an unfavorable balance of trade of -P8.93 billion. (See Figure 7).

For the same period in 2001, Central Luzon also realized a favorable trade balance at P11.44 billion. Other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances amounting to P3.81 billion and P1.84 billion were NCR and Eastern Visayas, respectively. On the other hand, Central Visayas suffered an unfavorable balance of trade of -P8.89 billion. (See Figure 8).

Source:   National Statistics Office 
                Manila, Philippines