The Philippines’ export sector capped a record-breaking 2025 by reclaiming the United States (US) as its primary trade partner, overcoming tariff headwinds to reach the highest annual shipment volume in more than three decades.

Latest preliminary data released by the PSA on Tuesday, Jan. 27, showed that total goods exports surged 23.3 percent in December to ₱395.9 billion, the highest level since October. The year-end rally pushed total annual exports to ₱4.78 trillion, a significant climb from the ₱4.15 trillion recorded in 2024.

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the Manila Bulletin that for the full year 2025, exports reached their highest level since 1991, while imports hit their highest level since 2022. This translated to total trade for the year of $217.98 billion, up from $200.89 billion in 2024.

Mapa added that the US was the Philippines’ top export destination for the full year 2025, the top since 2021, while China was the country’s top source of imports, the top since 2013.

PSA data showed that the US led Philippine exports in December, overtaking Hong Kong, which was the top export destination in November. Exports to the US reached $1.10 billion in December, accounting for 15.7 percent of the country’s total exports for the month, while full-year 2025 shipments to the US totaled $13.44 billion.

For December alone, this was followed by Hong Kong with $1.05 billion, accounting for 15.1 percent of total exports; Japan with $975.84 million (14.0 percent); China with $790.15 million (11.3 percent); and Singapore with $329.46 million (4.7 percent).

For the full year 2025, the same markets also ranked as the Philippines’ top export destinations, mirroring the order recorded in December. However, the Netherlands overtook Singapore, posting export receipts of $3.60 billion, higher than Singapore’s $3.53 billion.

PSA showed that commodity group electronic products remained the Philippines’ top export in December 2025, generating $4.04 billion and accounting for 57.8 percent of total exports for the month. This was followed by other manufactured goods, valued at $320.06 million (4.6 percent), and machinery and transport equipment, valued at $295.57 million (4.2 percent).

By product type, manufactured goods led Philippine exports in December 2025, totaling $5.59 billion and accounting for 79.9 percent of the country’s total shipments. This was followed by agro-based products at $732.09 million (10.5 percent) and mineral products contributing $514.85 million.

On the imports side, the PSA reported a 7.1 percent increase in December to $10.52 billion, marking the lowest level since February 2025, when imports stood at $9.76 billion.

For the full year 2025, Philippine imports totaled $133.57 billion, up from $127.60 billion in the same period in 2024.

China remained the Philippines’ top source of imported goods in December 2025, with shipments valued at $2.98 billion, accounting for 28.4 percent of total imports for the month. For the full year, imports from China reached $38.22 billion.

For December alone, China was followed by Korea with $1.03 billion, Indonesia with $712.78 million, Japan with $712.14 million, and the US with $662.11 million.

For the full year, the ranking of top import sources was similar, though Japan surpassed Indonesia, with imports totaling $10.52 billion compared to Indonesia’s $10.16 billion.

By commodity group, electronic products recorded the highest import value in December 2025, accounting for the largest share of the country’s total imports. This was followed by mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials, as well as transport equipment.

PSA added that, by major type of goods, imports of capital goods accounted for the largest share of the Philippines’ total imports in December 2025, followed by raw materials and intermediate goods, and then consumer goods.