Food & Beverage

PH Exports Hit Record $54.9B in 7 Months

Philippine exports reached a record $54.92 billion from January to July, driven by electronics, but the trade deficit widened. Meanwhile, African swine fever cases rose in Bacolod, and a congressional think tank flagged a rice tariff shortfall.

By the MMI Food & Beverage Desk

[Philippine merchandise exports](https://media-meter.com/report-library/dti-targets-p1b-trade-fair-sales-as-exports-beat-forecast "Dti targets p1b trade fair sales as exports beat forecast") hit a record $54.92 billion in the first seven months of 2026, powered by electronics and semiconductors, but the country's trade deficit widened as imports grew faster. The data, released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and cited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shows a 12.9% increase from $48.67 billion in the same period last year, the highest since the agency began tracking the series in 1991.(https://business.inquirer.net/609646/ph-exports-hit-record-54-9b-in-7-months) Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the government would push for higher-value exports, not just bigger volumes, as the country seeks to sustain momentum.(https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/07/dti-chief-phl-exports-must-be-worth-more-not-just-bigger) However, the trade deficit widened to $37.34 billion, up 29% from a year earlier, as the electronics industry's reliance on imported components eroded gains.(https://business.inquirer.net/609646/ph-exports-hit-record-54-9b-in-7-months) The record exports and widening deficit dominated business pages, drawing coverage worth an estimated ₱1.2 million in advertising-equivalent value across the captured items.(https://business.inquirer.net/609646/ph-exports-hit-record-54-9b-in-7-months)(https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/07/dti-chief-phl-exports-must-be-worth-more-not-just-bigger)(http://plus.inquirer.net/business/ph-exports-hit-record-54-9b-in-7-months) Meanwhile, [African swine fever (ASF) cases](https://media-meter.com/report-library/monsoon-floods-rice-prices-asf-dominate-ph-business-news "Monsoon floods rice prices asf dominate ph business news") in Bacolod City rose to 14, spreading to eight areas, prompting intensified surveillance.(http://panaynews.net/bacolods-asf-cases-rise-to-14-spread-to-8-areas) A congressional think tank also flagged a shortfall in rice tariff collections, which could strain the government's budget.(http://philstar.com/business/2026/09/07/2554438/government-think-tank-flags-shortfall-rice-tariff) These developments signal both growth and underlying vulnerabilities in the [Philippine economy](https://media-meter.com/report-library/ph-economy-slows-rate-hikes-loom-kkr-eyes-first-gen "Ph economy slows rate hikes loom kkr eyes first gen").

Dominant The record export figures and the accompanying trade deficit narrative dominated the business news in the captured set. Multiple outlets, including the Inquirer and Business Mirror, covered the PSA data, with the DTI's push for higher-value exports adding a policy angle. This story drew the most coverage value, estimated at over ₱1 million in advertising-equivalent terms across the items reviewed.(https://business.inquirer.net/609646/ph-exports-hit-record-54-9b-in-7-months)(https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/07/dti-chief-phl-exports-must-be-worth-more-not-just-bigger)(http://plus.inquirer.net/business/ph-exports-hit-record-54-9b-in-7-months) The narrative is significant because it reflects both the country's economic strengths and its structural vulnerabilities.

You're receiving this because you subscribed to the Food & Beverage briefing from Media Meter.

Manage preferences · Unsubscribe

© 2026 Media Meter Inc. · 3rd Floor, M&J Bldg., 121 Don A. Roces Ave, Quezon City 1103