Road shipments power 9.85M tons in Q4 domestic trade

The movement of goods within the country reached 9.85 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2025, with road transport accounting for the majority of shipments, according to preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

For the first time, domestic trade statistics included cargo transported by road, based on results from the newly conducted Commodity Flow Survey. Previous official figures covered only water and air transport.

Road shipments made up 54.9 percent of total trade volume during the quarter, equivalent to 5.41 million tons. Water transport handled 4.44 million tons, or 45 percent, marking a 32.5 percent decline from the same period in 2024. Air cargo accounted for 5.67 thousand tons, down 13.3 percent year on year.

CALABARZON recorded the largest outflow of goods at 3.37 million tons, representing 34.2 percent of total domestic trade. The National Capital Region followed with 1.59 million tons, while Central Visayas logged 1.09 million tons. The Cordillera Administrative Region posted the smallest outflow share.

In terms of inflow, the National Capital Region received the highest volume at 2.21 million tons, or 22.4 percent of the total. CALABARZON and Northern Mindanao followed.

Trade balance figures showed CALABARZON registering the largest surplus at 1.88 million tons. Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas also posted positive balances. Central Luzon, NCR and Zamboanga Peninsula recorded the biggest deficits in volume terms.

By value, domestic trade reached P562.76 billion in the fourth quarter. Road transport again led with P324.36 billion, or 57.6 percent of total trade value. Water shipments were valued at P238.04 billion, down 12.8 percent year on year. Air cargo totaled P363 million, posting slight growth.

CALABARZON topped all regions in outflow value at P193.43 billion and posted the highest trade surplus at P110.31 billion. NCR registered the highest inflow value at P149.83 billion but ended the quarter with the largest trade deficit at P34.32 billion.

The PSA said the inclusion of road-based data provides a more comprehensive view of domestic commerce and underscores the growing role of land transport in moving goods across regions.