Wholesale prices show mixed regional trends

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that wholesale prices in the Philippines are moving unevenly across the country. Nationally, the Global Wholesale Price Index (GWPI) grew 1.7 percent in February 2026, slightly up from January but still below last year’s 2.9 percent.

Chemicals, including cooking oils, led the increase, rising 3.6 percent, while beverages and tobacco went up 2.6 percent. Crude materials excluding fuels jumped 6.5 percent. Food prices grew more slowly at 2.5 percent, and manufactured goods barely moved.

Regionally, Luzon held steady at 1.5 percent growth. The Visayas saw the fastest rise at 3.3 percent, driven by higher prices for chemicals and food. Mindanao slowed to 2.0 percent, as food and chemicals gained more slowly despite jumps in beverages and tobacco.

These uneven trends suggest that businesses and consumers may experience price changes differently depending on the region and type of goods. Companies may need to adjust sourcing and pricing strategies, while households could see variations in the cost of daily essentials.

Monitoring these regional shifts will be key for planning supply chains, budgeting, and managing inflationary pressures across the country.