* Includes transactions that passed through Automated Export Documentation System (AEDS)- Subic Bay    Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
p - preliminary
r - revised

Merchandise exports down by 1.2 percent  

Export earnings for September 2005 went down by 1.2 percent to $3.599 billion from $3.641 billion during the same period last year.

Receipts from merchandise exports during the period January to September 2005 grew by 3.4 percent to $29.958 billion from $28.964 billion during the same period of the previous year.

Electronic products register 2.1 percent decrease  

Electronic products, accounting for 67.3 percent of the aggregate export revenue in September, dropped by 2.1 percent to $2.423 billion from $2.475 billion a year earlier. Decreases were observed in six electronic groups with telecommunication contributing the biggest negative growth of 58.6 percent.

Among the major groups of electronic products, components/devices (Semiconductors) got the highest share with 50.8 percent to total exports. Semiconductors posted a positive rate of 1.3 percent to $1.826 billion from $1.803 billion during the same month in 2004.

Articles of apparel and clothing accessories remained as the country’s second top earner with a combined share of 5.6 percent and an aggregate receipt of $202.17 million or 5.5 percent higher than $191.59 million a year ago. This was brought about by the bulk order of brassieres as well as children and infants' wear.

Petroleum products, ranked third with sales amounting to $74.03 million or a year-on-year growth of 52.4 percent from $48.59 million. This can be attributed to the higher demand in fuel and gas oils. 

Ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircrafts and ships (consists only of electrical wiring harness for motor vehicles), ranked fourth with total revenue of $60.46 million reflecting a 24.3 percent decrease from $79.84 million during the same period of 2004. 

Revenue from other products manufactured from materials imported on consignment basis inched up by 0.9 percent to $47.26 million from $46.85 million.  

Rounding up the list of the top exports for the month of September 2005 were coconut oil, $46.74 million; woodcrafts and furniture, $36.05 million; metal components, $29.86 million; bananas (fresh), $27.81 million; and pineapple and pineapple products, $17.14 million.

Total receipts for the top ten exports reached $2.965 billion, or 82.4 percent of the total exports.

Fig. 1  Philippine Top Exports: September 2004 and 2005
(F.O.B. Value in Million US Dollars)

Exports of manufactured goods register 1.7 percent decrease

Accounting for 89.6 percent of the total receipts, exports of manufactured goods was worth $3.223 billion, a  1.7 percent decline from $3.277 billion during the same period last year.

Earnings from all agro-based products combined for $148.28 million or 4.1 percent of the total export revenue. Compared to last year, aggregate receipt for this commodity group dropped by 12.4 percent from $169.23 million.

Income from special transactions accelerated by 90.2 percent to $93.98 million from $49.41 million while receipts from exports of mineral products decreased by 39.0 percent to $57.40 million from $94.08 million.

Petroleum products recorded earnings of $74.03 million, while forest products fell by 26.6 percent to $2.27 million from $3.10 million.

Fig. 2  Philippine Exports by Commodity Group: September 2004 and 2005
(F.O.B. Value in Million US Dollars)

 

Exports to United States account for 18.2 percent

Accounting for 18.2 percent of the country's aggregate income for the month, exports to United States was valued at $653.65 million. Receipts went up by 7.0 percent from last year's reported figure of $610.62 million. 

Japan followed with a 17.2 percent share. Earnings at $620.21 million, declined by 20.0 percent from $775.74 million.

Netherlands emerged as the third biggest market for the month as shipments of local goods amounted to $374.10 million or 10.4 percent of the total. Receipts rose by 13.3 percent from $330.27 million during to the same period of 2004.

Exports to People's Republic of China accounting for 9.5 percent of the total receipts was worth $341.69 million, a 2.7 percent increase from $332.71 million during the same month of the previous year.

Other top markets for September 2005 were: Singapore, with exports worth $283.52 million; Hong Kong, $261.99 million;  Malaysia, $211.34 million; Taiwan, $148.65 million; Germany, $125.84 million; and Republic of Korea, $98.33 million.

Total export receipts from RP's top ten markets for the month of September amounted to $3.119 billion or 86.7 percent of the total.

Fig. 3  Philippine Top Exports by Country: September 2005
(F.O.B. Value in Million US Dollars)

Source:  Economic Indices and Indicators Division
               Industry and Trade Statistics Department
               National Statistics Office
               Manila, Philippines