Northern Mindanao accounts for most traded commodities in PH

DAVAO CITY – The five provinces in Northern Mindanao accounted for 22 percent of the total quantity of all traded commodities in the country in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was the highest among all regions nationwide, a preliminary report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. The PSA stated that Northern Mindanao, comprising Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental, recorded a total of 1.42 million tons of traded commodities. It was followed by Central Luzon (1.35 million tons) and Central Visayas (890,000 tons) on second and third places, respectively. It added Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) posted 560,000 tons; Western Visayas, 500,00 tons; National Capital Region, 480,000 tons; Eastern Visayas, 290,000 tons; Bicol Region, 270,000 tons; Davao Region, 230,000 tons; Caraga and SOCCSKSARGEN with 140,000 tons each; CALABARZON, 90,000 tons; Zamboanga Peninsula, 80,000 tons; and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 40,000 tons.

Topping the list of the most traded commodities in the 4th quarter of 2017 were food and live animals commodities with 2.5 million tons worth R41.71 billion, which accounted for 72.5 percent share of all the traded commodities while animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes commodities had the least quantity with only 40,000 tons, the PSA added.

However, in terms of value, machinery and transport equipment machinery, and transport equipment commodities took the lead at R59.72 billion, followed only by food and live animals and manufactured goods at R21.24 billion.

Other traded goods were mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials R17.46 billion; beverages and tobacco R8.73 billion; chemical and related product R8.49 billion; miscellaneous manufactured articles R7.11 billion; commodities and transactions R5.44 billion; crude materials and inedible except fuels R4.20 billion; and Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes 2.27 billion.

The PSA reported that the overal quantity of dometic trade during the 4th quarter was at at 6.48 million tons, up by 4.2 percent from 6.21 million tons of the same quarter in 2016.