NCR retail price growth accelerates in April

RETAIL PRICE GROWTH of general goods in Metro Manila increased in April, driven by a spike in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

Citing preliminary data, the PSA said the general retail price index (GRPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) rose 4.5% year on year in April, accelerating from the revised 3.3% growth in March and the 0.9% growth posted a year earlier.

The April reading was the strongest since the 4.9% in May 2023.

In the year to date, GRPI growth averaged 3%, up from 1.2% a year earlier.

Almost all the commodity groups posted year-on-year growth in April.

“The uptrend in the annual growth rate of the GRPI in April 2026 was primarily brought about by the faster annual increase in the index of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials at 51.3% from 29.2% in the previous month,” the PSA said.

Other commodity groups that posted stronger growth were beverages and tobacco (1.6% from 1.4%); crude materials, inedible except fuels (4.6% from 3.1%); chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats (2.9% from 2.4%); manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials (1.8% from 1.6%); machinery and transport equipment (2.8% from 1.5%); and miscellaneous manufactured articles (1.1% from 0.9%).

Meanwhile, retail price growth for food steadied at 3.2% in April.

The GRPI is based on 2012 constant prices.

The PSA uses the GRPI as a deflator in the National Accounts, particularly in the retail trade sector, and serves as a basis for forecasting. — Lourdes O. Pilar