THE country’s agricultural trade deficit of $988.65 million in May was 6.4 percent narrower than the $1.06 billion a year earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported, but was larger than April’s $667.35 million and also the highest since March’s $1.25 billion.
Total agricultural trade stood at $2.67 billion in May, up 4.8 percent from $2.55 billion a year earlier, though still the lowest since February’s $2.46 billion.
Exports
Agricultural exports reached $840.18 million, or 31.5 percent of the total for May. This was 12.8 percent higher than the $745.08 million in May 2025, but below April’s $1.04 billion, and the lowest since March’s s $742.27 million.
Agricultural goods made up 10.7 percent of the country’s s total exports for the month.
Edible fruit and nuts, and citrus or melon peel, topped exports at $299.68 million, or 35.7 percent of the total.
Exports to Asean member states reached $76.45 million, or 6.5 percent of total exports to the bloc. Malaysia was the top Asean destination, taking in $27.90 million, or 36.5 percent.
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes — including nicotine-inhalation products — led exports to Asean at $25.44 million (33.3 percent); followed by animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their derivatives ($18.24 million, 23.9 percent); and miscellaneous edible preparations ($7.12 million, 9.3 percent).
Exports to the European Union added up to $165.65 million, or 18.9 percent of total exports to the bloc. The Netherlands was the top EU destination, with $66.25 million, or 40.0 percent.
Animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their derivatives topped EU-bound exports at $115.98 million (70.0 percent); followed by preparations of meat, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates or insects ($17.32 million, 10.5 percent); and preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other plant parts ($15.21 million, 9.2 percent).
Imports
Agricultural imports posted $1.83 billion, or 68.5 percent of total trade — up 1.5 percent from $1.80 billion in May 2025 and above April’s $1.70 billion, though still below March’s $2.00 billion.
Cereals led imports, valued at $454.21 million, or 24.8 percent of the total.
Imports from Asean member states totaled $717.06 million, or 20.7 percent of all imports from the bloc. Vietnam was the top Asean source, supplying $256.60 million, or 35.8 percent.
Cereals topped Asean-sourced imports at $273.69 million (33.1 percent); followed by miscellaneous edible preparations ($133.38 million, 18.6 percent); and animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their derivatives ($121.48 million, 16.9 percent).
Imports from the EU reached $154.66 million, or 23.2 percent of the total from the bloc. Spain was the top EU source, at $29.98 million, or 19.4 percent.
Dairy produce, birds’ eggs, natural honey, and other edible animal products led EU-sourced imports at $42.74 million (27.6 percent); followed by meat and edible meat offal ($36.46 million, 23.6 percent); and beverages, spirits, and vinegar ($23.50 million, 15.2 percent).
