Food prices up

MANILA, Philippines - Four successive weather disturbances – typhoons Ferdie, Gener, Helen and the southwest monsoon – have delayed the transport of undamaged farm commodities from the provinces to major trading centers in Metro Manila, causing prices to rise because of tight supply of some commodities.

According to the Aug. 17 price monitoring of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) of the Department of Agriculture, the following markets offer the best prices for certain farm products:

Pork ham and kasim is cheapest in the Marikina Market Zone at P150 per kilogram compared to P160 to P170 /kg in Pasig City Mega Market, Viajero Market, New C.I Market Quezon City, Muntinlupa Public Market, Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, Mega Q Mart Quezon City, Marikina Public Market, City Market of Antipolo, Bacoor Public Market and Pasay Public Market.

Liempo is also cheapest in Marikina Market Zone at P158/kg compared to P170 to P180/kg in the other markets.

Fully dressed chicken is likewise cheapest in Marikina Market Zone at P115/kg compared to P120 to P130/kg in others.

Eggs (medium) are cheapest in Commonwealth Market at P4 apiece compared to as much as P4.50 apiece in other markets.

Bangus (medium) is cheapest at P105/kg in Paig City Mega Market compared to P110 to P130/kg in other markets.

Tilapia (medium) is also cheapest in Pasig City Mega Market and Marikina Market Zone at P85/kg compared to P90 to P110/kg in other markets.

Vegetables like amplaya is cheapest in New C.I Market Quezon City at P65/kg compared to P70 to P90/kg in other centers.

Carrots are cheaper at P40/kg at Pasig City Mega Market and Viajero Market but are priciest at Bacoor Public Market at P90/kg.

Sitaw is cheapest at P50 per kilo in Muntinlupa Public Market compared to P80/kg in Markina Public Market.

Red onion is cheapest at New C.I Market Quezon City at P74/kg but are priciest at Mega Q Mart at P100/kg.

Eggplant is cheapest at P35/kg at Viajero Market and priciest at P70 in Bacoor Public Market.

Refined sugar is cheapest in City Market of Antipolo but is more expensive in Pasay Public Market at P54 per kilo.