THE prices of key agricultural commodities in the Philippines fluctuated in the second phase of February, with rice and tomatoes seeing declines while pork, onions, and fish registered price increases, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Regular milled rice, a staple for Filipino households, fell to an average retail price of P47.19 per kilogram, down from P47.77 in early February and P48.12 in mid-January. The decline reflects an easing of supply pressures, though its sustainability remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, pork prices continued to climb, with fresh pork meat with bones reaching P322.98 per kilogram, up from P317.57 in early February and P309.39 in mid-January. The rising cost may be attributed to supply constraints and increased demand ahead of upcoming festivities.
The price of galunggong, a widely consumed fish, also rose, averaging P231.24 per kilogram in mid-February. This marked an increase from P226.43 in early February and P225.79 a month earlier, potentially indicating supply limitations or rising consumer demand.
In contrast, tomato prices experienced a significant drop, falling to P90.64 per kilogram from P109.42 in early February and P158.67 in mid-January. The decrease suggests an improvement in supply conditions.
Red onion prices continued to climb, reaching P182.47 per kilogram, compared to P162.69 in early February and P153.70 in mid-January. The increase may be driven by seasonal factors or limited stock availability.
Carabao mango prices also declined slightly, averaging P182.74 per kilogram, down from P191.19 in early February and P200.40 in mid-January, possibly reflecting seasonal supply dynamics.
Refined sugar prices maintained an upward trajectory, reaching P86.38 per kilogram, compared to P85.61 in early February and P84.23 in mid-January. The increase could be linked to production costs or importation factors.
The fluctuations in food prices underscore the ongoing volatility in the Philippine agricultural market, driven by supply chain dynamics, weather conditions, and consumer demand. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
