2026.03.2701:21:02UTC+00Philippine Imports Rise the Most in 8 Months

Philippine imports rose by 12.6% year-on-year to USD 11 billion in February 2026, sharply rebounding from a downwardly revised 1% decline in January. This was the fastest expansion in imports since June of the previous year, largely reflecting stronger demand for electronic products (up 39.3%). Within this category, purchases increased notably for medical and industrial instrumentation (58.6%), communication and radar equipment (49.7%), and semiconductors (44.6%).

Import volumes also grew for telecommunication equipment and electrical machinery (58.6%), metal products (32.2%), and various miscellaneous manufactured articles (23.6%). Among the Philippines’ major trading partners, China remained the country’s leading source of imports, accounting for 28.8% of the total, with shipments from China rising 24%. Inbound goods from South Korea (99%), Taiwan (23.6%), and Singapore (11.3%) also registered solid increases.

Over the first two months of 2026, total imports expanded by 5.3% year-on-year to USD 22.4 billion.