Road transport drives Q4 domestic trade

The movement of goods within the country reached 9.85 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2025, with road transport emerging as the primary mode of shipment, according to preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

For the first time, domestic trade statistics now include cargo moved by road, based on data from the newly conducted Commodity Flow Survey. Previously, official figures covered only water and air transport.

Road shipments accounted for 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, reflecting a sharp 32.5 percent decline from the same period in 2024. Air cargo remained minimal at 5.67 thousand tons, down 13.3 percent year on year.

In terms of regional activity, Calabarzon posted the largest outflow of goods at 3.37 million tons, representing 34.2 percent of total domestic trade.

The National Capital Region (NCR) followed with 1.59 million tons, while Central Visayas recorded 1.09 million tons. At the other end, the Cordillera Administrative Region had the smallest outflow share.

NCR, however, received the highest volume of incoming goods at 2.21 million tons or 22.4 percent of the total. Calabarzon and Northern Mindanao ranked next in inflow volume.

Trade balance data showed Calabarzon registering the strongest surplus at 1.88 million tons.

Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas also posted positive balances. In contrast, Central Luzon, NCR and Zamboanga Peninsula recorded the largest 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 the total trade value. Water shipments were valued at P238.04 billion, down 12.8 percent from a year earlier, while air cargo totaled P363 million, posting slight growth.