THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that Davao Region's total imports for the second quarter of 2014 reached $354.68 million, which is equivalent to P15.95 billion.
Based on data released by PSA-Davao, the total imports increased by 25 percent to $354.68 million, or P15.95 billion ($1=44.97 as of November 26), from April to June this year as compared to the $283.34 million, or P12.74 billion, in the same period in 2013.
The top 10 imported commodities are mostly construction materials, minerals, chemicals, paper, machines, and wheat.
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, other than crude, topped the list as the most imported product in the city at $88.19 million. The major source of the commodity is Taiwan at $75.52 million. It is followed by Singapore ($12.09 million), Thailand ($523,991), and Malaysia ($55,519).
The second most imported products are uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, at $15.19 million. The United States is the major source of the commodity at $9.03 million. It is followed by New Zealand ($2.40 million), Australia ($1.86 million), Russia ($475,663), and Germany ($330,811).
Placing third are structures and parts of structures at $13.74 million. These include bridges, bridge sections, lock-gates, towers, lattice masts, roofs, roofing frame works, doors and windows and their frames and thresholds for doors, shutters, ballustrades, pillars and columns, among others.
Taiwan is also the major source of these commodities at $12.25 million, it is followed by China ($645,750), South Korea ($544,901), India ($74,423), and Colombia ($512,674).
Also among the top 10 most imported commodities are nitrogenous mineral or chemical fertilizers ($13.09 million); steam or other vapor generating boilers ($12.53 million); other uncoated paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, not further worked or processed ($12.20 million); machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions ($11.87 million); insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators, disinfectants and other similar products ($11.41 million); glazed ceramic flags and paving and glazed ceramic mosaic cubes ($10.92 million); and wheat and meslin ($8.67 million).
Imports are coming from Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, United States, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Germany, China, South Korea, India, Colombia, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia, among others.