Philippine Export Growth Weakens Sharply In April



Philippines merchandise export growth weakened considerably in April, defying expectations for a strong increase , preliminary figures from the Philippine Statistical Authority showed Tuesday.

Total exports of the country advanced 0.8 percent year-on-year in April, after a 12.4 percent climb in the previous month, well below economists' forecast for 10.0 percent of growth.

Shipments of electronic products dropped 2.5 percent annually in April. A year ago, exports of this category of goods had risen 12.2 percent. Exports of other manufactured products also declined by 12.2 percent. Meanwhile, exports of processed food and beverages jumped 110.1 percent in April and that of other mineral products by 30.9 percent.

In the first four month period, total merchandise exports expanded 5.4 percent to $ 18.859 billion from $17.894 billion in the same period last year.

News are provided by InstaForex.