PH Exports Hit Record High Driven by Electronics

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine merchandise exports from January to July reached a fresh peak of $54.92 billion, driven primarily by booming electronics and semiconductor shipments as the country attempts to replicate the banner year it had in 2025. Citing Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the seven-month export performance was the highest since the agency began tracking the data series in 1991. READ: Pax Silica to boost semiconductor industry The year-to-date tally also marked a 12.9-percent increase from $48.67 billion in the same period in 2025. Even so, PSA data showed that the country’s trade deficit widened to $37.34 billion from January to July, up 29 percent from a year earlier, as the electronics industry’s reliance on imported components eroded gains from robust exports. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the government would seek to sustain the momentum by expanding trade promotion and market-entry initiatives while helping local exporters meet international requirements. “Our exporters continue to demonstrate that Philippine products and services can compete globally,” Roque said in a statement over the weekend. “The DTI will get Filipino products abroad—we will not let up until every capable business finds its place in the global market.” In particular, the DTI is banking on the country’s growing network of free trade agreements (FTAs) to further support export growth by opening up more markets for Philippine goods. Roque earlier said the Philippines could end the year with three more trade agreements: FTAs with the European Union and Canada, as well as an update to the existing trade pact with Japan, the Philippines’ first bilateral FTA. If completed, these trade deals would add to two agreements pursued by the Philippines earlier this year: the comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the United Arab Emirates signed in January and the FTA with Chile set to be signed in October. “We will continue to open doors for our exporters by giving Filipino businesses more opportunities to meet foreign buyers, provide tailored and targeted assistance to help them understand and comply with international market requirements, and bring their products to new and emerging markets,” Roque said. READ: PH woos US firms for semiconductor, critical-mineral investments In July alone, export sales grew by 10.8 percent to $8.15 billion from $7.36 billion a year earlier, marking the 19th consecutive month of expansion. Electronics remained the country’s biggest export driver, generating $4.79 billion in July and accounting for 58.8 percent of total shipments. Despite slapping a higher 12.5 percent tariff on Philippine goods, the United States remained the country’s largest export market in July, buying $1.68 billion worth of goods, or 20.7 percent of the total. Hong Kong followed with $1.29 billion, while China bought $919.82 million worth of Philippine goods. Japan and Singapore rounded out the five largest markets with $856.60 million and $401.17 million, respectively. INQ