MANILA — The country’s total agricultural trade rose by 3.3 percent in September 2025 to USD 2.52 billion, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

Of the total, agricultural exports reached USD 794.46 million, accounting for 31.5 percent of the overall trade, while imports amounted to USD 1.73 billion, or 68.5 percent of the total. In comparison, total agricultural trade posted year-on-year increases of 5.0 percent in August 2025 and 26.1 percent in September 2024.

The agricultural trade balance remained in deficit at USD -932.15 million in September 2025, reflecting a 15.7 percent annual decrease.

Agricultural exports grew 19.1%

Agricultural exports climbed 19.1 percent to USD 794.46 million from USD 667.05 million in September 2024, accounting for 11 percent of the country’s total exports.

The top 10 commodity groups contributed USD 777.08 million, or 97.8 percent, of total agricultural exports. Among these, animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes posted the highest value at USD 297.51 million, representing 37.4 percent of total agricultural exports.

Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), agricultural exports amounted to USD 73.92 million, with Malaysia emerging as the top buyer at USD 26.34 million, or 35.6 percent of exports to ASEAN countries. The top exported commodities to ASEAN included fats and oils (USD 27.28 million), tobacco products (USD 19.52 million), and cereal preparations (USD 4.71 million).

To the European Union (EU), agricultural exports reached USD 233.70 million, with the Netherlands as the leading market at USD 142.82 million, or 61.1 percent of total exports to the bloc. The main export commodities to the EU were fats and oils (USD 172.78 million), meat and fish preparations (USD 22.49 million), and edible fruits and nuts (USD 15.72 million).

Agricultural imports down 2.6%

Agricultural imports declined by 2.6 percent to USD 1.73 billion in September 2025 from USD 1.77 billion in the same month of 2024, representing 14.9 percent of total imports.

The top 10 imported agricultural commodities were valued at USD 1.46 billion, or 84.5 percent of total imports. Cereals topped the list, amounting to USD 361.26 million or 20.9 percent of total agricultural imports.

Among ASEAN countries, the Philippines imported USD 674.12 million worth of agricultural products, with Indonesia leading suppliers at USD 190.86 million, or 28.3 percent of the total. The main imports from ASEAN were fats and oils (USD 181.46 million), cereals (USD 143.72 million), and miscellaneous edible preparations (USD 102.10 million).

From the European Union, agricultural imports reached USD 158.44 million, with Spain as the top supplier at USD 44.51 million, accounting for 28.1 percent of imports from EU countries. The top imported commodities from the EU were meat and edible meat offal (USD 44.97 million), dairy products and honey (USD 34.29 million), and beverages (USD 24.35 million).