FX.co ★ Philippine Imports Growth Hits 6-Month High

In December 2025, Philippine imports experienced a substantial 7.1% year-on-year rise, reaching USD 10.5 billion, an improvement from the upwardly revised 2.3% growth in the previous month. This increase represented the strongest annual expansion since June, attributed largely to increased acquisitions of electronic products, which surged by 25.8%. Key contributors within this category included components/devices, electronic data processing equipment, and telecommunications. Additional growth was seen in the import of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials (6.3%), transport equipment (7%), and industrial machinery and equipment (1%). Conversely, there were declines in the imports of other food and live animals (-4.1%) alongside cereals and cereal preparations (-29%). Among the Philippines' primary trading partners, China maintained its position as the leading supplier, representing 28.4% of total imports. Other significant contributors included the Republic of Korea (9.8%), Indonesia (6.8%), Japan (6.8%), and the United States (6.3%). Over the entirety of 2025, total imports amounted to USD 133.6 billion, marking a 4.7% increase compared to 2024.