Quantity and value of domestic trade in fourth quarter of 2015 decreases

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions via water and air decreased by 6.2 percent during the fourth quarter of 2015 from 5.27 million tons to 4.94 million tons.  About 99.8 percent were traded through water.

The total value of commodities that flowed within the country decreased by 8.6 percent from PHP136.523 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014 to PHP124.729 billion in the same period of 2015.

Food and live animals leads total domestic trade value

In the fourth quarter of 2015, food and live animals amounting to PHP32.202 billion accounted for the biggest share in value of total domestic trade. This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with PHP31.866 billion (25.5%) and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials with PHP21.621 billion (17.3%).

The same trend was exhibited in the fourth quarter of 2014 with food and live animals amounting to PHP40.761 billion (29.9%) followed by machinery and transport equipment with PHP32.202 billion (23.6%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes had the least domestic trade value amounting to PHP1.054 billion (0.8%) in 2014 and PHP1.827 billion (1.3%) in 2015.

 Value of domestic trade highest for Central Visayas

Western Visayas reported the highest share on domestic trade at PHP26.93 billion (21.6%) in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Central Visayas ranked second with PHP24.048 billion (19.3%), followed by National Capital Region (NCR) and Northern Mindanao with PHP16.336 billion (13.1%) and PHP15.669 billion (12.6%), respectively.  Among regions, CALABARZON contributed the least share in value of domestic trade registering PHP71.55 million or 0.1 percent of total (Table 2).

Central Luzon registers highest favorable trade balance

 In the fourth quarter of 2015, Central Luzon posted positive (favorable) trade balance at PHP13.874 billion.  Other regions with a billion mark positive (favorable) trade balances were:

• Western Visayas, PHP4.889 billion;
• Davao Region, PHP2.654 billion;
• Northern Mindanao, PHP2.647 billion; and
• Central Visayas, PHP2.150 billion.

 On the other hand, Caraga suffered negative (unfavorable) trade balance at PHP7.110 billion.      Other regions with a billion mark negative (unfavorable) trade balances include:

• NCR, PHP5.782 billion;
• CALABARZON, PHP5.315 billion;
• Zamboanga Peninsula, PHP2.684 billion;
• Ilocos Region, PHP1.82 billion; and
• MIMAROPA, PHP1.583 billion.

  Notes:

    1.  Commodity flow or domestic trade refers to the flow of commodities through 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.

    2.   DOMSTAT reports from the following provinces/cities were not yet received as of December 22, 2015, thus, were not included in this special release:

3.    As of fourth quarter of 2015, Philippine National Railways (PNR) has no rail transaction.