THE Philippines’ agricultural trade deficit widened to $1.11 billion in August as exports fell sharply while imports barely declined, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Tuesday.
The gap increased from $928.45 million a year earlier but narrowed from $1.24 billion in July.
Total agricultural trade fell by 8.5 percent to $2.22 billion from $2.42 billion in August 2025.
Exports
Agricultural exports dropped by 26.1 percent to $554.7 million from $750.57 million a year earlier, accounting for 6.1 percent of the country’s total exports.
Edible fruits and nuts, including citrus and melon peel, led agricultural exports at $211.99 million, or 38.2 percent of the total.
Agricultural exports to Asean reached $67.15 million, representing 5.1 percent of all Philippine exports to the bloc.
Malaysia was the leading buyer at $27.82 million, or 41.4 percent of agricultural exports to Asean. It was followed by Singapore at $12.06 million; Thailand, $11.86 million; Vietnam, $9.3 million; and Indonesia, $3.79 million.
Fats, oils and related products topped agricultural exports to Asean at $18.49 million, followed by tobacco products, $15.96 million; and miscellaneous food preparations, $7.45 million.
Agricultural exports to the European Union totaled $65.5 million, accounting for 8.2 percent of all Philippine exports to the bloc.
The Netherlands was the top destination at $36.7 million, or 56 percent of agricultural exports to the EU. Spain and Germany followed at $8.24 million and $7.74 million, respectively.
Fats, oils and related products led EU-bound agricultural exports at $31.23 million, followed by prepared meat, fish and other aquatic products at $8.56 million, and edible fruits and nuts at $8.11 million.
Imports
Agricultural imports edged down by 0.6 percent to $1.67 billion from $1.68 billion a year earlier, accounting for 12.9 percent of total Philippine imports.
The August figure was the lowest since February, when agricultural imports reached $1.66 billion. Cereals led imports at $416.68 million, or 25 percent of the agricultural total.
Agricultural imports from Asean totaled $565.43 million, representing 19.2 percent of all Philippine imports from the bloc.
Indonesia was the leading supplier at $194.55 million, or 34.4 percent of agricultural imports from Asean. Thailand followed at $108.27 million; Vietnam, $105.18 million; Malaysia, $75.45 million; and Singapore, $40.98 million.
Fats, oils and related products led agricultural imports from Asean at $146.75 million, followed by cereals at $131.85 million and miscellaneous food preparations at $89.3 million.
Agricultural imports from the EU reached $134.98 million, accounting for 18.9 percent of all Philippine imports from the bloc. Spain was the largest supplier at $30.69 million, followed by Italy, $16.5 million; and the Netherlands, $15.54 million.
Dairy products, eggs, honey and other edible animal products topped agricultural imports from the EU at $37.4 million, followed by meat and edible offal, $26.85 million; and beverages, spirits and vinegar, $18.9 million.
