Agri trade deficit widens 4.9% in July

The Philippines' agricultural goods trade deficit widened by 4.9% year-on-year in July, reaching $929.78 million.

Total agricultural trade value in July was $2.49 billion, with exports rising 17.5% to $779.32 million and imports increasing 10.3% to $1.71 billion.

Edible fruit and nuts, and peels of citrus fruit and melons, were the top agricultural exports, valued at $246.19 million.

Animal, vegetable, or microbial fats and oils, and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, and animal or vegetable waxes, were the second-highest export category at $245.48 million.

Cereals were the largest category of agricultural imports, followed by meat and animal and vegetable oils, with the latter showing the strongest growth.

Vietnam and Indonesia were the top suppliers of agricultural imports to the Philippines.

The European Union, particularly Spain, was the top supplier of meat, dairy, eggs, natural honey, and animal feed.