The country posted a wider trade deficit of $5.48 billion in May, driven by imports outpacing exports, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as reported by Philstar Biz.
Imports grew by 12.3% year-on-year to $12.1 billion, while exports increased by a slower 8.6% to $6.6 billion. The resulting trade gap was 9.2% wider than the $5.0 billion deficit recorded in May 2025.
The widening deficit may exert downward pressure on the Philippine peso and highlights the country's reliance on imported goods, particularly raw materials and capital equipment. Analysts will be watching if the trend persists in the coming months amid global economic uncertainties.