The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Tradeline Philippines reveal a varied performance across key wearable export sectors in January 2025, following a 4-percent decline in 2024.
“We are hoping for overall positive performance in 2025,” said Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) executive director Maritess Agoncillo.
Apparel exports posted an 18-percent growth in January 2025, rising from $44.62 million in January 2024 to $52.51 million.
Textile exports recorded the highest increase among the sectors, jumping 36 percent from $17.82 million to $24.26 million.
Travel goods exports also saw a significant improvement, climbing 20 percent from $37.35 million to $44.66 million.
However, footwear exports suffered a steep decline, dropping 42 percent from $8.63 million to $4.97 million.
This came after footwear exports showed an 11-percent increase in 2024, indicating a reversal in momentum.
Philippine wearable exports, which include apparel, textiles, travel goods and footwear, amounted to $1.299 billion in 2024, down from $1.354 billion in 2023.
The decline was driven largely by weaker apparel shipments, which fell 6 percent to $661.75 million and a 4 percent dip in travel goods exports to $546.62 million.
Despite this, textile exports managed a 3-percent increase to $256.44 million, while footwear posted an 11-percent growth to $90.51 million.
