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 of domestic trade increased; value decreased
The total quantity of domestic trade in fourth quarter 2003 increased by 37.3 percent, resulting to 6.93 million tons from 5.05 million tons registered during the same period of last year. Most of the commodities were transported via water, with shares of 99.9 percent and 99.8 percent during the fourth quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively.
On the other hand, the value of commodities traded dropped by 28.7 percent from P98.35 billion in fourth quarter 2002 to P70.15 billion in the same period of 2003. The bulk of commodities were traded via water comprising 99.4 percent and 99.5 percent in fourth quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Food and live animals dominated the domestic trade
Among the commodities that flowed throughout the country in fourth quarter 2003, food and live animals contributed the largest total value amounting to P20.24 billion (28.8 percent). Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials was next with P14.51 billion (20.7 percent). Machinery and transport equipment came third with P12.56 billion (17.9 percent). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes provided the least value of P258.50 million (0.4 percent) (See Table 1).
Food and live animals likewise dominated the domestic trade in fourth quarter of 2002 with a share of 34.2 percent (P33.66 billion) of the total value. Machinery and transport equipment followed with a 16.8 percent share (P16.49 billion). Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material was next with a share of 12.4 percent (P12.16 billion). Contributing the least value of P1.24 billion (1.3 percent) was animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes (See Table 1).
NCR accounted for largest domestic trade share
Most of the traded commodities in the fourth quarter of 2003 came from the National Capital Region with value of domestic trade amounting to P17.39 billion (24.8 percent). Central Luzon followed closely with P16.60 billion (23.7 percent). Eastern Visayas was third, contributing P8.53 billion (12.2 percent). Contributing the least domestic trade share was Cagayan Valley with only P8 thousand.
Likewise, during the fourth quarter of 2002, NCR had the highest domestic trade share at P29.57 billion (30.1 percent). Central Luzon remained the second highest contributing region with a total value of P12.96 billion (13.2 percent). Central Visayas was at third place with P10.76 billion (10.9 percent). Cagayan Valley remained the least contributing region with only P114 thousand.
Central Luzon posted the most favorable trade balance
In the fourth quarter of 2003, Central Luzon posted the most favorable balance of trade at P16.08 billion. Other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances were Eastern Visayas (P5.28 billion) and Soccsksargen (P4.95 billion). Inflows for Central Visayas amounted to P9.86 billion resulting to an unfavorable balance of trade of -P8.85 billion. Other regions with more than a billion negative trade balances amounting to -P5.72 billion, -P4.16 billion, -P2.91 billion, -P1.82 billion and -P1.10 billion were National Capital Region, Caraga, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region, respectively.
For the same period in 2002, Central Luzon also realized the most favorable trade balance at P12.12 billion. Other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances amounting to P6.34 billion, P4.31 billion and P2.50 billion were National Capital Region, SOCCSKSARGEN and Eastern Visayas, respectively. Likewise, Central Visayas suffered an unfavorable balance of trade of -P6.69 billion.
Source: National Statistics Office
Manila, Philippines
