PH agri trade deficit widened by nearly 25% in September

The country's agricultural trade deficit widened by almost 25% in September 2026 as export revenues declined, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

The Philippines posted an agricultural trade deficit of US $1.25 billion in September this year, a 24.8% annual increase and the highest deficit since March 2026.

In September, the country's agricultural exports dipped to US $642.11 million. This is a 21.2% decrease from the US $814.40 million export revenues posted in the same period last year.

Edible fruits, nuts, and citrus/melon peels led all agricultural exports, generating US $229.55 million and capturing the largest share at 35.7%, PSA data showed.

Among Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia is the top buyer of Philippine agricultural products in September. The ASEAN neighbor imported US $17.04 million worth of agricultural goods from the Philippines during the said period.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands was the top buyer of Philippine agricultural commodities among European countries, buying US $81.09 million worth of goods in September.

On the other hand, the Philippines' agriculture imports for September rose to US $1.89 billion, a 4.2% increase from the US $1.82 billion logged in 2025.

According to PSA data, cereals led all agricultural imports, totaling US $483.84 million and capturing the largest share at 25.6% of total import values.

Indonesia emerged as the leading supplier of agricultural products to the Philippines in the Southeast Asia region. It contributed US $288.43 million or 39.4% to the country's agricultural imports from ASEAN countries.

Meanwhile, Spain led all EU nations as the primary source of agricultural commodities to the Philippines, valued at US $32.30 million. —KG, GMA News