Export earnings in October 2009 recorded a single-digit negative growth of 8.3 percent from $3.990 billion in October 2008 to $3.660 billion after posting double-digit decreases for nine consecutive months starting January 2009. Compared to previous months level, however, it slightly increased by 0.7 percent from $3.636 billion in September 2009. Aggregate merchandise exports from January to October 2009, on the other hand, dropped by 27.0 percent from $42.890 billion registered during the same ten-month period in 2008 to $31.300 billion.

Export earnings in December 2009 amounted to $3.304 billion, a double-digit growth of 23.6 percent was registered compared from its year ago level of $2.675 billion. However, on a monthly basis, it declined by 11.0 percent from $3.712 billion in November 2009. Aggregate merchandise exports from January to December 2009, on the other hand, dropped by 21.9 percent from $49.078 billion to $38.327 billion registered during the same twelve-month period in 2008.