Rice price drops, pork more costly early March

THE average retail price of rice decreased, while that of pork increased in the first phase of this month (March 1 to 5), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Regular milled rice sold for P46.30 per kilogram (kg), lower than P47.19/kg in last month's second phase (Feb. 15-17), and cheaper than P47.77/kg in the first phase (Feb. 1-5).

Fresh pork liempo was retailed at P384.08/kg in the first phase of March, higher than P378.84/kg and P375.02/kg in the second and first phase of February, respectively.

Galunggong was available for P235.26/kg also in the first phase of March, higher than P231.24/kg and P226.43/kg in the second and first phase of February, respectively.

A kilogram of tomatoes sold for P76.65 in the first phase of March, a decline compared to the P90.64/kg in the second half of February and P109.42/kg in the first phase of February.

The retail price of native garlic was P185.73/kg in the first phase of March, higher than P183.75/kg in the second phase of February, and P182.35/kg in the first phase.

Carabao mango retailed for P176.99/kg in the first phase of March, lower than P182.74/kg in the second phase of February, and P191.19/kg in the first phase.

Cooking oil sold for P171.18 per liter in the first phase of March, higher than P170.20 per liter in the second phase of February and P170.24 in the first phase.