TACLOBAN CITY– Eastern Visayas recorded a trade deficit of USD 24.37 million in January 2026. This marks a reversal from the USD 25.80 million surplus reported in January last year.
The region’s trade performance was attributed to the 99.4 percent drop in export sales from USD 228.58 million in January 2025 to USD 1.40 million in January 2026.
Moreover, the total value of imports fell by 87.3 percent from USD 202.77 million imports in January 2025 to USD 25.77 million in January 2026.
Total trade, valued at USD 27.17 million in January 2026, registered a sharp decline of 93.7 percent from USD 431.35 million recorded in January 2025.
Eastern Visayas exported 152.23 million kilograms of goods in January 2026. This increased by 20.4 percent from the126.42 million kilograms of goods exported in January 2025.
Ores, slag and ash commodity group exported to the People’s Republic of China for USD 1.24 million was the major export, comprising more than three-fourth (88.9%) of the total exports value in January 2026.
The region imported 121.37 million kilograms of goods in January 2026, lower by 31.6 percent than the 177.34 million kilograms of goods imported in January 2025.
The major import commodity group was mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes valued at USD 13.33 million. This attributed for more than one-half (51.7%) of the total import value in January 2026.
Vietnam was the top import supplier in January 2026 contributing USD 7.02 million or 27.3 percent to the total import value for the month. (PR)
