Trade sector gains despite Trump tariffs

Exports climbed 21.3 percent year-on-year to $6.9 billion in November 2025, supported by strong demand for electronics, agro-based products and consumer goods.

This extended export growth to 11 consecutive months and marked the third straight month of double-digit gains, the Department of Trade and Industry reported.

From January to November, exports reached $77.4 billion, up 14.5 percent from a year earlier and already more than $4 billion above full-year 2024 levels. The stronger export performance helped narrow the trade deficit by 9.9 percent, as import growth slowed.

Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the latest figures show Philippine exporters are gaining ground internationally.

“The continued rise in our exports shows that Filipino-made products remain competitive worldwide. The remarkable growth in electronics, food products, and consumer goods reflects growing global demand and supports jobs, incomes, and wider opportunities for our exporters,” she said.

Export gains in November were broad-based, spanning multiple product categories and markets across the Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe.

Key growth drivers included:

Electronics, which led exports at $4.2 billion, up 50.6 percent year on year;

Coconut products, rising 27.1 percent and adding over $70 million;

Banana and pineapple juice, which jumped 38.8 percent and 40.0 percent, respectively, contributing $46 million combined;

Gold exports, which surged 50.7 percent to $181.8 million;

Machinery and transport equipment, up 29.4 percent to $317 million; and

Non-food consumer goods, which posted double-digit gains, including furniture and fixtures (+65.9 percent), footwear (+28.6 percent), travel goods (+28.3 percent), and garments (+11.2 percent).

Top export markets in November were:

Hong Kong, where exports nearly doubled to $1.2 billion;

The United States, with shipments rising 19.3 percent to $1.2 billion;

The Netherlands and Taiwan, where exports more than doubled, adding $330 million combined;

Germany, which recorded 63.6 percent growth to $295.9 million; and

Malaysia, Mexico, and Italy, each posting growth of over 50 percent. 

On a year-to-date basis, exports to Canada and Australia tripled to $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.

Global market access improved

DTI–Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte said improved market access helped support export growth, particularly for agriculture.