Rice retail price down, meat up in early December

THE retail price of rice declined year on year in early December, while meat and galunggong (round scad) prices increased, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

During the Dec. 1-5 period, which the PSA calls the first phase of December, the national average retail price of well-milled rice declined 10.6% from a year earlier to P48.91 per kilo. It rose from the P47.90 average during the second phase of November (Nov. 15-17) and P47.63 a month earlier.

The highest average retail price of well-milled rice in the first phase of December was recorded in the Davao Region at P55.45 per kilo, slightly lower than the P55.75 reported in the same period last year.

The lowest retail price of well-milled rice in early December was reported in the Cagayan Valley at P41.33 per kilo, falling from P51.16 a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the retail price of bone-in fresh pork averaged P314.41 per kilo in the first phase of December, up 4.66% from a year earlier. The national average is slightly lower than the P316.05 recorded in the second phase of November and P316.02 a month earlier.

The retail price of dressed chicken averaged P210.67 per kilo in the first phase of December, up 2.92% from a year earlier. The average retail price for the period is also higher than the P208.42 during the second phase of November and P208.44 a month earlier.

Galunggong prices rose 12.55% year on year to P244.90 per kilo in the first phase of December. The average price of the staple fish declined from P247.86 in the second phase of November and increased from P242.83 a month earlier. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel