Quantity of domestic trade falls; value rises

The total quantity of domestic trade transactions in the third quarter of 2014 decreased by 15.4 percent, resulting to 4.12 million tons from 4.87 million tons reported in the same period of last year. The commodities were traded mostly through water comprising 99.7 percent in the third quarter of 2014 and 99.8 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2013 (Table1).

On the other hand, the total value of commodities that flowed within the country increased by 0.4 percent from PHP143.88 billion in the third quarter of 2013 to PHP144.40 billion in the same period of 2014. Trade transaction through water was the major mode of transport in the third quarter of 2013 comprising 99.7 percent and 99.6 percent in the same period of the current year.

Machinery and transport equipment, highest in total domestic trade value

Machinery and transport equipment contributed the largest share among the commodities transacted throughout the country in the third quarter of 2014 amounting to PHP38.48 billion (26.6%). This was followed by food and live animals with PHP36.26 billion (25.1%) and manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials with PHP19.52 billion (13.5%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes had the least value of PHP0.78 billion (0.5%) (Table 1).

On the other hand, food and live animals contributed the largest share among the commodities transacted throughout the country in the third quarter of 2013, with value amounting to PHP40.24 billion (28.0%). This was followed by machinery and transport equipment with PHP31.19 billion (21.7%) and manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials contributed PHP21.93 billion (15.2%). Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes had the least value of PHP2.31 billion (1.6%) (Table 1).

National Capital Region (NCR) accounts for the largest domestic trade share

In the third quarter of 2014, most of the traded commodities came from NCR with value amounting to PHP37.26 billion (25.8%). Western Visayas was second with PHP22.43 billion (15.5%) followed by Central Visayas with PHP19.87 billion (13.8%) while Eastern Visayas contributed PHP16.66 billion (11.5%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade shared the least among the regions with value amounting to only PHP10 thousand (Table 2).

In the same way, NCR had the highest domestic trade share amounting to PHP51.75 billion (36.0%) in the third quarter of 2013. Central Visayas came in second with PHP27.44 billion (19.1%). Northern Mindanao was next with PHP15.36 billion (10.7%), followed by Central Luzon with PHP11.15 billion (7.7%). Cagayan Valley’s domestic trade contributed the least share among the regions with only PHP109 thousand.

NCR leads in favorable trade balance

NCR posted the most favorable trade balance at PHP15.47 billion in the third quarter of 2014. Other regions with more than a billion positive trade balances were Central Luzon, PHP10.24 billion and Eastern Visayas, PHP5.93 billion. In contrast, Caraga suffered an unfavorable trade balance of negative PHP11.40 billion. Other regions with more than a billion negative trade balances were Zamboanga Peninsula (PHP4.97 billion), CALABARZON (PHP4.85 billion), Central Visayas (PHP4.56 billion) Northern Mindanao (PHP2.04 billion), MIMAROPA (PHP1.96 billion), Ilocos Region (PHP1.30 billion) and Davao Region (PHP1.18 billion) (Table 4).

Likewise, NCR and Central Luzon were the top regions with the most favorable trade balances at PHP28.38 billion and PHP10.75 billion, respectively, in the third quarter of previous year. Meanwhile, Western Visayas suffered the highest unfavorable trade balance of negative PHP8.50 billion.

Notes:

1. DOMSTAT reports from the following provinces/cities were not yet received as of December 05, 2014, and were not included in this special release:
   
   1. Romblon – Coastwise (August & September 2014)
   2. Western Samar – Coastwise (July to September 2014)
   3. Sulu – Coastwise (July to September 2014)
   4. Tawi-Tawi – Coastwise (July to September 2014)
2. As of third quarter 2014, Philippine National Railways (PNR) still has no trade transaction.