The Philippines is on track to reach a revised $116.1-billion export target for 2026 as the government leverages improved access to the United States market and a surge in shipments of electronics and agricultural goods.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that total merchandise exports reached $84.41 billion in 2025, the highest level since the data series began in 1991 and an increase of 15.2 percent from the previous year.
Export sales in December jumped 23.3 percent to $6.99 billion. Electronic products remained the primary export pillar during the month, accounting for 57.8 percent of total earnings at $4.04 billion, followed by other manufactured goods and machinery and transport equipment.
The United States emerged as the top destination for Philippine goods in December, receiving 15.7 percent of exports valued at $1.10 billion. Hong Kong, Japan, China and Singapore rounded out the top 5 trading partners for the period.
Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) director Bianca Pearl Sykimte said a primary driver for the momentum is improved access to the US market.
She said the lifting of US tariffs on items including coconut, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, cocoa, spices and selected fertilizers has strengthened price competitiveness for local producers.
“The lifting of US tariffs on products such as coconut, coffee, tea, tropical fruits and juices, cocoa, spices, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, beef, and selected fertilizers has strengthened price competitiveness and expanded opportunities for Philippine food exporters,” Sykimte said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for export diversification and strategic development to help local businesses navigate trade policy uncertainties.
EMB officials attributed the widening market access to stabilizing demand and robust government support.
The government continues to implement market promotion initiatives to ensure exporters can capture new growth while facing global economic headwinds, the EMB said.
