ANN/INQUIRER.NET – The prices of key agricultural commodities in the Philippines fluctuated in the second phase of February, with rice and tomatoes seeing declines while 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 PHP47.19 per kilogramme (kg), down from PHP47.77 in early February and PHP48.12 in mid-January.
The decline reflects an easing of supply pressures, though its sustainability remains uncertain.
The price of galunggong, a widely consumed fish, also rose, averaging PHP231.24/kg in mid-February. This marked an increase from PHP226.43 in early February and PHP225.79 a month earlier, potentially indicating supply limitations or rising consumer demand.
In contrast, tomato prices experienced a significant drop, falling to PHP90.64/kg from PHP109.42 in early February and PHP158.67 in mid-January.
The decrease suggests an improvement in supply conditions.
Red onion prices continued to climb, reaching PHP182.47/kg, compared to PHP162.69 in early February and PHP153.70 in mid-January. The increase may be driven by seasonal factors or limited stock availability.
Carabao mango prices also declined slightly, averaging PHP182.74/kg, down from PHP191.19 in early February and PHP200.40 in mid-January, possibly reflecting seasonal supply dynamics.
Refined sugar prices maintained an upward trajectory, reaching PHP86.38/kg, compared to PHP85.61 in early February and PHP84.23 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.
