Government slashes export targets for 2025-2028

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December 5, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The government has lowered export targets for 2025 to 2028, projecting total exports to reach up to $135 billion by 2028, down from the previous goal of $240.5 billion, amid global uncertainties.

At the National Export Congress yesterday, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Export Marketing Bureau director Bianca Sykimte presented the revised export targets for 2025 to 2028.

For this year, exports are now targeted to reach between $110.8 billion and $113.4 billion, down from the previous target of $163.6 billion under the Philippine Export Development Plan.

For next year, exports are projected to grow, reaching $116.1 billion to $120.2 billion, which is lower than the previous target of $186.7 billion.

Total exports are expected to continue growing in 2027, reaching $123.3 billion to $127.4 billion, up from an earlier goal of $212.1 billion.

For 2028, the new export goal ranges from $132.8 billion to $135.1 billion, which is lower than the initial goal of $240.5 billion.

Sykimte said the targets were revised due to uncertainty over the United States’ tariffs, as well as disruptions in global trade routes.

She said the revised targets reflect global demand and the latest export performance.

From January to October, the country’s merchandise exports totaled $70.43 billion, representing a 13.8-percent increase from $61.90 billion in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, services exports dipped to $24.43 billion in the first semester from the $24.65 billion in the same period last year.

Sykimte said the adjusted targets also align with the export goals set under the Philippine Development Plan.

“PDP would be the upper band for the target,” she said.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the revised targets are “more realistic targets considering the challenges we are facing.”

Moving forward, Sykimte said the government would be focusing on firm-level initiatives.

She said the DTI is working with the World Bank for a program that would support the export sector.

Under the proposed Philippines COMPETE Plus for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) project, the aim is to address the challenges faced by these businesses, such as limited productivity, low participation in export markets, and barriers to integrating into global and domestic value chains.

“This is an unprecedented level of support for the exporting community,” Sykimte said.