PH agri exports decline by 26.1% in August 2026 —PSA

The country’s agricultural export revenue slumped to US$554.7 million in August of this year, the lowest since January 2024, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

According to PSA, the latest figure is 26.1% lower from $750.57 million recorded in August 2025.

Further, the agriculture export revenue in August of this year was the lowest recorded since January two years ago with $545.25 million.

The agricultural exports logged in August 2026 accounted for 6.1% of the country’s total exports, the PSA said.

Moreover, data showed that edible fruits and nuts, including citrus peel or melon rinds, accounted for the largest share of agricultural exports in August 2026, generating $211.99 million or 38.2 percent of the total.

Other agricultural commodity groups that contributed to the country’s August exports are animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils ($135.74 million); tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes ($38.50 million); preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts, or other parts of plants ($35.47 million); and fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic invertebrates ($32.40 million).

The PSA data also showed that agricultural exports to ASEAN member states totaled $67.15 million in August 2026, representing 5.1% of the country's overall exports to the regional block.

Malaysia emerged as the leading market for Philippine agricultural exports among ASEAN member nations in August 2026, purchasing $27.82 million worth of goods or a 41.4% share of the regional total.
Meanwhile, exports of agricultural goods to EU member countries in August 2026 reached US $65.50 million. The Netherlands was the top exporter of Philippine agricultural commodities, amounting to US $36.70 million.

The country’s merchandise exports surged 27.8% to US$9.11 billion in August 2026, hitting a record-high in the last 35 years, based on PSA’s preliminary data.

The Department of Agriculture recently reported that Filipino export groups and growers generated US$290 million in sales for various tropical fruits during an expo in Hong Kong.

The booked and negotiated sales generated were from Cavendish and Cardava (saba) bananas, durian, mangoes, and dragon fruit. — BM, GMA News

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