Quantity of domestic trade increases; value decreases
The total quantity of domestic trade transactions in the fourth quarter of 2014 grew by 15.7 percent, increasing to 5.27 million tons from 4.56 million tons reported in the same period of last year. The commodities were traded mostly through water transport comprising 99.8 percent of both years 2013 and 2014 (Table1).
On the contrary, the total value of commodities that flowed within the country decreased by 8.5 percent from PHP149.18 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013 to PHP136.52 billion in the same period of 2014. Trade transaction through water was the major mode of transport comprising 99.8 percent and 99.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Food and live animals contributes almost thirty percent in total domestic trade value
Among the commodities transacted throughout the country in the fourth quarter of 2014, food and live animals contributed the largest share amounting to PHP40.76 billion (29.9%). This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with PHP32.20 billion (23.6%) and manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials with PHP20.06 billion (14.7%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes had the least value of PHP1.83 billion (1.3%) (Table 1).
Likewise, commodities under food and live animals supplied the largest share in the fourth quarter of 2013 amounting to PHP48.16 billion (32.3%). Machinery and transport equipment with PHP27.26 billion (18.3%) while manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials contributed PHP20.69 billion (13.9%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes shared the least contribution amounting to PHP2.42 billion (1.6%) (Table 1).
One in five commodities originates from the National Capital Region (NCR)
Most of the traded commodities originated from NCR with value amounting to PHP28.00 billion (20.5%), in the fourth quarter of 2014. Central Visayas was second with PHP22.55 billion (16.5%) followed by Western Visayas with PHP19.17 billion (14.0%) while Northern Mindanao contributed PHP18.28 billion (13.4%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade shared the least among the regions with value amounting to only PHP11 thousand (Table 2).
Similarly, NCR had the highest domestic trade share amounting to PHP44.28 billion (29.7%) in the fourth quarter of 2013. Central Visayas placed second with transactions valued at PHP25.43 billion (17.0%) followed by Western Visayas with PHP20.41 billion (13.7%) and Northern Mindanao PHP18.72 billion (12.5%). Again, Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PHP20 thousand.
Central Luzon posts the most favorable trade balance
Central Luzon posted the most favorable trade balance at PHP10.41 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. Other regions which exceeded the PHP1.0 billion positive trade balances were Davao Region, PHP4.13 billion, Northern Mindanao, PHP2.72 billion SOCCSKSARGEN PHP1.38 billion and NCR, PHP1.35 billion. Meanwhile, Zamboanga Peninsula suffered an unfavorable trade balance of negative PHP5.84 billion. Other regions with more than a PHP1.0 billion negative trade balances were CALABARZON (PHP4.48 billion), Caraga (PHP2.82 billion), Central Visayas (PHP2.50 billion), Eastern Visayas (PHP2.05 billion), MIMAROPA (PHP1.81 billion), and Ilocos Region (PHP1.30 billion) (Table 4).
On the other hand, NCR posted the most favorable trade balance at PHP18.59 billion in the fourth quarter of previous year. Meanwhile, Eastern Visayas suffered the worst unfavorable trade balance of negative PHP5.11 billion.
Notes:
- DOMSTAT reports from the following provinces/cities were not yet received as of March 29, 2015, thus, were not included in this special release:
- Romblon – Coastwise (October to December 2014)
- Sulu – Coastwise (October to December 2014)
- Tawi-Tawi – Coastwise (October to December 2014)
- As of fourth quarter 2014, Philippine National Railways (PNR) still has no trade transaction.
