PHILIPPINE imports continued to slip for the eight consecutive month in May, but at a slower pace, as purchases of electronic products abroad slightly recovered, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said.
The agency said the country’s total merchandise imports for May fell by 24.3 percent to $3.617 billion from $4.776 billion in the same month last year. This led the five-month tally to fall 32.9 percent to $16.257 billion from $24.243 billion in the same period last year.
The five-month trade deficit also fell 22.5 percent to $2.442 billion from $3.147 billion in the same period last year.
Month-on-month, imports however expanded by 18.9 percent from $3.042 billion in April.
Electronics, which accounts for 36 percent of the total import bill eased by 12.3 percent to $1.301 billion over last year’s $1.483 billion.
However, electronic imports rose by 40.7 percent month-on-month from $924.76 million in April.
Imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials reached $505.25 million, down from last year’s $1.190 billion.
Cereals and cereal preparations, amounting to $348.37 million were up by 18.2 percent year-on-year.
Purchases of transport equipment fell 29 percent to $144.29 million from last year’s $203.30 million.
Imports of industrial machinery and equipment registered $121.76 million in May, down 34.4 percent from last year’s $185.53 million.
Rounding up the list of the Top 10 imports for May were organic and inorganic chemicals, $112.09 million; iron and steel, $72.75 million; plastics in primary and non-primary forms, $64.56 million; medicinal and pharmaceutical products, $61.89 million; and miscellaneous manufactured articles, $56.86 million.
Total payment for the country’s Top 10 imports reached $2.789 billion, or 77.1 percent of the total import bill.
The US was the Philippines’ biggest source of imports for May at $439.69 million, a decline of 19.5 percent from $545.98 million last year.
Japan sold the Philippines goods worth $393.28 million, lower by 21.8 percent from $503.21 million last year.
Payments for imports from the Top 10 sources amounted to $2.640 billion, or 73.0 percent of the total. –Darwin G. Amojelar, Senior Reporter, Manila Times
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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