{
  "id": 18750035,
  "title": "Farm trade deficit swells in September",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/farm-trade-deficit-swells-in-september",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-07T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/11/08/2568556/farm-trade-deficit-swells-september"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The agricultural trade deficit in the Philippines expanded by nearly 25% in September due to a sharp decline in farm exports, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The country's agricultural trade balance recorded a $1.25-billion deficit in the month, up from $1 billion in September 2024. Farm exports plummeted by 21.2% to $642.11 million, down from $814.4 million a year earlier. Meanwhile, agricultural imports rose by 4.2% to $1.89 billion, compared to $1.82 billion in the previous year. Agricultural imports continued to dominate the country's farm trade, accounting for the largest share. Cereals made up the biggest portion of all agricultural imports, valued at $483.84 million, or 25.6% of the total value. Indonesia was the primary source of these imports, accounting for 39.4% or $288.43 million. Within the European Union, Spain was the main supplier, sending agricultural commodities worth $32.30 million, or 20.3% of the Philippines' total agricultural imports from EU member states. Edible fruit and nuts, including citrus fruit peels and melon rinds, topped the list of farm exports, valued at $229.55 million, making up about 35.7% of total agricultural exports. Malaysia was the top buyer in the region, purchasing $17.04 million worth of Philippine farm products, while the Netherlands was a major EU trading partner, with purchases valued at $81.09 million.",
  "summary": "The deficit in the country’s agricultural trade widened by almost 25 percent in September amid the double-digit decline in farm exports, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}