Philippines Eyes Export Growth Exceeding 15% as DTI Confident of New Record

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) remains optimistic that total merchandise exports this year would grow faster than last year’s 15-percent expansion. Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the DTI continues to “push for” a new record high in merchandise export value this year to sustain last year’s historic performance. Philippine exports of goods reached $84.48 billion in 2025, the highest recorded since tracking started in 1991. The 2025 export figure is also 15.3 percent higher than the $73.27 billion worth of exports in 2024. Roque said this year’s export growth would come from rising stars like ube and calamansi, as well as expansion from usual drivers such as semiconductors, electronics and key agricultural commodities like coconut oil and bananas. “We are hoping it will be faster (than the 15 percent export growth last year),” Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the DTI’s National Export Fair. The country’s merchandise exports from January to May grew by 7.6 percent to $37.87 billion, according to Philippine Statistics Authority data. Roque reiterated that current global market uncertainties and challenges, such as the Middle East conflict, affect not just Philippine exporters but everyone. Roque emphasized that the DTI continues to intensify its engagements and support to the private sector to sustain the country’s export growth amid market volatilities. In May, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the country’s merchandise exports could set a new record this year unless there are “surprises” from the war between the US and Iran.