Mid-January price check: rice down, meat and fish up
WITH the removal of non-tariff barriers, more imported agricultural products may reach local markets, potentially bringing down prices at — debatably — the expense of local producers.
PHOTOGRAPH BY DIANNE BACELONIA FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has released its latest price situationer for selected agricultural commodities, covering the second phase of January 2025 (15 to 17 January). The report details changes in the retail prices of staple food items across the country, with some products experiencing price reductions while others recorded increases.
Rice prices ease a bit while meat and fish get pricier
Regular milled rice recorded an average retail price of ₱48.12 per kilogram during mid-January, down from ₱48.50 per kilogram in early January and ₱48.98 per kilogram in mid-December 2024.
Fresh pork with bones saw a price increase, averaging ₱309.39 per kilogram, up from ₱306.35 per kilogram in early January and ₱302.23 per kilogram in mid-December. Similarly, the price of galunggong rose to ₱225.79 per kilogram, compared to ₱223.73 per kilogram in early January and ₱219.57 per kilogram in December.
Vegetables and fruits show mixed trends
Tomato prices fell significantly to ₱158.67 per kilogram, down from ₱189.69 per kilogram in early January and ₱163.84 per kilogram in mid-December. Meanwhile, red onions saw a price increase, reaching ₱153.70 per kilogram, compared to ₱149.72 per kilogram in early January and ₱133.27 per kilogram in December.
Carabao mango prices dropped to ₱200.40 per kilogram, from ₱206.39 per kilogram in early January, but remained higher than the ₱197.73 per kilogram recorded in December. Refined sugar prices also slightly declined to ₱84.23 per kilogram, from ₱84.89 per kilogram in early January and ₱85.06 per kilogram in mid-December.