Story by Giselle P. Jordan

RICE was a bit more expensive while meat was significantly cheaper in early September, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Special rice cost P57.06 per kilogram (kg) from Sept. 1-5 compared to P56.87/kg in Aug. 15-17 and P56.65/kg Aug. 1-5.

Likewise, well-milled and regular milled rice retailed higher in early September.

Meanwhile, fresh pork kasim (shoulder) sold for P360.64/kg in early September, a decrease from P364.93/kg in mid-August and P368.56/kg in early August.

Similarly, the respective prices of pork liempo (belly), pork meat with bones, chicken, and chicken egg declined in the same period.

However, pure beef and regular beef with bones cost more in early September.

A kilogram of bangus averaged P238.51 in early September, higher than P231.86/kg and P230.70/kg in mid- and early August, respectively.

Galunggong was also more expensive in early September, while tilapia was cheaper.

Tomato sold for P99.60/kg in early September, higher than P81.88/kg and P80.35/kg in mid- and early August, respectively.

Price increases were also seen in carrots and white potato, while those of ampalaya, cabbage, eggplant, Baguio beans, pechay, and string beans decreased.

Red onions, meanwhile, cost P179.36/kg in early September, higher than P175.52/kg in mid-August and P172.80/kg in early August.

The price of native garlic also rose, while those of imported garlic and Hawaiian ginger dropped.

Calamansi was cheaper at P84.18/kg in early September, compared to P88.59/kg and P89.31/kg in mid- and early August, respectively.

Lower prices were also observed in lakatan and latundan banana, while higher costs were noted in carabao mango and papaya.

Cooking oil retailed higher at P186.59 per liter (L) in early September, compared to P184.50/L and P184.47/L in mid- and early August, respectively.

Published Date: September 22, 2025