Food prices show varied movements in mid-February

MANILA, Philippines — 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 ₱47.19 per kilogram, down from ₱47.77 in early February and ₱48.12 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 ₱322.98 per kilogram, up from ₱317.57 in early February and ₱309.39 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 ₱231.24 per kilogram in mid-February. This marked an increase from ₱226.43 in early February and ₱225.79 a month earlier, potentially indicating supply limitations or rising consumer demand.

In contrast, tomato prices experienced a significant drop, falling to ₱90.64 per kilogram from ₱109.42 in early February and ₱158.67 in mid-January. The decrease suggests an improvement in supply conditions.

Red onion prices continued to climb, reaching ₱182.47 per kilogram, compared to ₱162.69 in early February and ₱153.70 in mid-January. The increase may be driven by seasonal factors or limited stock availability.

Carabao mango prices also declined slightly, averaging ₱182.74 per kilogram, down from ₱191.19 in early February and ₱200.40 in mid-January, possibly reflecting seasonal supply dynamics.

Refined sugar prices maintained an upward trajectory, reaching ₱86.38 per kilogram, compared to ₱85.61 in early February and ₱84.23 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.