Rice, galunggong prices up, meat steady in mid-Nov.

PRICES of rice and galunggong (round scad) rose in mid-November, while pork and chicken prices were little changed, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

During the Nov. 15-17 period, which the PSA calls the second phase of November, the national average retail price of well-milled rice rose to P47.90 per kilo, against P47.63 during the first phase of the month (Nov. 5-7) and P47.37 a month earlier. The year-earlier price had been P55.06 per kilo.

The highest average retail price of well-milled rice in the second phase of November was recorded in the Central Visayas at P54.74 per kilo, against the P53.46 reported in the first phase of November.

The lowest retail price of well-milled rice in the second phase of  November was reported in the Cagayan Valley at P40.19 per kilo, which rose from the P39.88 recorded in the first phase of the month.

Galunggong prices rose to P247.86 per kilo in the second phase of November from P242.83 in the first phase and P233.77 a month earlier. A year earlier, the retail price for the staple fish had been P217.09 per kilo.

Retail prices of fresh pork (in bone-in form) averaged P316.05 per kilo, against P316.02 in the first phase of November and down from P320.98 a month earlier. A year earlier, pork prices had been P299.88 per kilo.

The retail price of dressed chicken averaged P208.42 per kilo, against P208.44 in the first phase of November and P210.03 a month earlier. Prices remained elevated compared to the year-earlier level of P202.60 per kilo.

Meanwhile, a slight decrease in retail prices in the second phase of November was recorded for beef (bone-in and pure meat) and bangus (milkfish).

On the other hand, vegetables, such as ampalaya (bitter gourd), cabbage, carrot, eggplant, Baguio beans, string beans, tomato and potato, posted retail price increases in the second phase of November.

Red onion prices surged to an average of P208.48 per kilo in the second phase of November, against P175.30 in the first phase. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel