Well-milled rice prices average P50.63

THE national average retail price of well-milled rice in mid-February was P50.63 per kilogram (kg), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a report.

The average price was up from the P50.34 recorded between Feb. 1 and 5, which the PSA refers to as the first phase of the month.

The highest retail price in the second phase was reported in the Central Visayas, with the average at P59.27 per kg during the period.

Ilocos Region posted the lowest price for well-milled rice at P52.76 per kg.

The PSA reported that regular-milled rice averaged P50.63 per kg in the second phase of the month, up 0.6% compared to the first phase.

The highest price for regular-milled rice was recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao  with an average of P54.17 per kg.

At the low end was the Western Visayas, where regular-milled rice averaged P46.09 per kg.

Brown sugar averaged P76.52 per kg, a 0.6% decline from the previous period.

The PSA reported that brown sugar prices were highest in Calabarzon at P88.10 per kg during the second phase of February.

The lowest average price was reported in the Zamboanga Peninsula at P67.58 per kg.

The PSA reported that the national average retail price for refined sugar was P87.49 per kg.

For the second phase of Feb., prices in Calabarzon were the highest with sugar at an average of P97.06 per kg.

Prices for refined sugar were also lowest in Zamboanga Peninsula with P78.85 per kg. — Adrian H. Halili