THE national average price of well-milled rice was P56.22 per kilogram (kg) as of early August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The PSA said prices edged lower during the Aug. 1 to 5 period, which it calls the first phase of the month, from the average P56.33 per kilo reported in the previous period of July 15-17, or the second phase of that month.
The highest retail price was reported in the Western Visayas, where the staple grain averaged P59.53 per kilo during the period.
At the low end during the period was Ilocos Region, where rice prices averaged P52.86 per kilo.
The PSA reported that regular-milled rice averaged P50.76 per kilo, down from P50.88 during the prior period.
The highest price for regular-milled rice was recorded in Davao Region at P53.46 per kilo.
At the low end was the Cagayan Valley, where regular-milled rice averaged P45.05.
The national average price for pork liempo (belly) fell to P356.3 per kilo during the period from P357.01 previously.
Pork kasim (shoulder) fell to P337.66 per kilo against the P338.37 in the prior period.
The average price for bone-in pork fell to P303.55 per kilo during the Aug. 1-5 period from P305.57 previously.
Dressed chicken averaged P205.26 per kilo in early August, up from P202.47 earlier.
The average price for chicken egg rose to P8.67 per piece from P8.54 previously. — Adrian H. Halili
