THE country‘s agricultural trade in February totaled $2.33 billion, its lowest in eight months, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Data showed that while the figure is 3.8 percent higher than the $2.24 billion in February 2025, it was the lowest since the $2.28 billion in June 2025, reflecting slower growth compared to the 20.4 percent in February last year.
Total agricultural exports were $749.95 million in February, up by 7.1 percent from last year‘s $700.35 million, and 32.2 percent of the total for the month.
The amount was also the highest since the $893.90 million in December 2025, and accounted for 10.2 percent of the total in February.
Imports were worth $1.58 million in February, a 2.3 percent growth from last year‘s $1.54 million, and 67.8 percent of the total for the month.
It was also the lowest in eight months or since the $1.55 billion in June 2025.
Meanwhile, agricultural trade deficit declined to $828.95 million, 1.6 percent lower than the $842.60 million shortfall in February last year. It was also the lowest deficit since the $737.35 million in December 2025.
Largest share of exports
Animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; and animal or vegetable waxes accounted for the largest share of agricultural exports in February worth $252.26 million, or 33.6 percent of the total.
Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member countries totaled $60.31 million or 6.5 percent of its total in February.
Malaysia was the top exports buyer among Asean members, accounting for $19.68 million or 32.6 percent share of the total.
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body were the top agricultural exports to Asean member countries at $23.07 million or 38.2 percent of the total.
This was followed by animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes ($8.71 million, 14.4 percent); and miscellaneous edible preparations ($4.85 million, 8.0 percent).
Exports to European Union (EU) member countries reached $202.16 million in February, accounting for 21.9 percent of the total.
The Netherlands was the top destination of Philippine agricultural commodities at $112.65 million or 54.6 percent of the total in February.
Animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes were the top exports to EU member countries at $150.16 million or 72.8 percent of the total.
This was followed by preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, mollusks, or other aquatic invertebrates or of insects ($18.88 million, 9.2 percent) and edible fruits and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons ($14.71 million, 7.1 percent).
Top imports
Cereals were the country‘s top imports at $332.69 million or 21.1 percent of the total in February.
Imports from Asean member countries amounted to $653.31 million or 23.8 percent of the total in the same period.
Vietnam was the top source of imports at $186.40 million or 28.5 percent of the total from Asean member countries.
Cereals were also the top agricultural import from Asean member countries at $171.14 million or 26.2 percent. This was followed by animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes ($168.52 million, 25.8 percent); and miscellaneous edible preparations ($127.53 million, 19.5 percent).
Imports from EU member countries reached $116.75 million or 17.5 percent of the total.
Spain was the top source of imports from EU member countries at $25.33 million or 21.7 percent of the total.
Meat and edible meat offal were the top agricultural imports from EU member countries at $29.43 million or 25.2 percent. This was followed by dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included ($23.45 million, 20.1 percent) and residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder ($16.62 million, 14.2 percent).
