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 decreased; value increased...
The total quantity of domestic trade in the fourth quarter of 2004 declined by 34.7 percent, resulting to 4.53 million tons from 6.93 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 99.7 percent during the fourth quarters of 2003 and 2004, respectively.
On the other hand, the value of commodities traded increased by 10.8 percent from P70.15 billion in the fourth quarter of 2003 to P77.73 billion in the same period of 2004. The bulk of commodities were shipped mostly through water comprising 99.4 percent and 99.1 percent in the fourth quarters of 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Food and live animals dominated the domestic trade...
Among the commodities that flowed throughout the country in the fourth quarter of 2004, food and live animals contributed the largest value amounting to P23.52 billion (30.3%). Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials was next with P16.91 billion (21.8%). Machinery and transport equipment came third with P13.29 billion (17.1%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes provided the least value of P406.55 million (0.5%) (See Table 1).
Food and live animals likewise dominated the domestic trade in the fourth quarter of 2003 with a share of 28.8 percent (P20.24 billion) of the total value. Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials followed with a 20.7 percent share (P14.51 billion). Machinery and transport equipment was next with a share of 17.9 percent (P12.56 billion). Contributing the least value of P258.50 million (0.4%) was animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes (See Table 1).
Central Luzon accounted for the largest domestic trade share...
Most of the traded commodities in the fourth quarter of 2004 came from Central Luzon with value of domestic trade amounting to P16.00 billion (20.6%). The National Capital Region (NCR) came second with P12.37 billion (15.9%). This was followed closely by Northern Mindanao with P12.16 billion (15.6%). Eastern Visayas was next with P8.85 billion (11.4%). Contributing the least was Cagayan Valley with only P33 thousand domestic trade share.
On the other hand, during the fourth quarter of 2003, NCR had the highest domestic trade share at P17.39 billion (24.8%). Central Luzon was the second highest contributing region with P16.60 billion (23.7%). Eastern Visayas came up third with P8.53 billion (12.2%). This was followed by SOCCSKSARGEN with P 6.05 billion (8.6%). Cagayan Valley remained the least contributing region with only P8 thousand domestic trade share.
Central Luzon posted the most favorable trade balance...
In the fourth quarter of 2004, Central Luzon posted the most favorable balance of trade at P15.74 billion. Four other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances were Northern Mindanao (P6.33 billion), Eastern Visayas (P6.00 billion), SOCCSKSARGEN (P3.80 billion), and MIMAROPA (P3.47 billion). On the other hand, NCR suffered an unfavorable balance of trade of -P11.60 billion. Other regions with negative trade balances of more than a billion were Central Visayas (-P10.20 billion), CALABARZON (-P5.38 billion), Caraga (-P4.70 billion), Western Visayas (-P 1.51 billion), and Ilocos (-P1.08 billion).
For the same period in 2003, Central Luzon also realized the most favorable trade balance at P16.08 billion. Other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances were Eastern Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, amounting to P5.28 billion and P4.95 billion, respectively. On the other hand, Central Visayas suffered the most unfavorable balance of trade at -P8.85 billion.
Source: National Statistics Office
Manila, Philippines
