Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - April 2010)

1. CPI of Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT): National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)
   

   The seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR went down to 154.8 in April from 155.1 in March while in AONCR, its level increased to 169.4 from 169.1.

   The good production of eggs and sufficient supply of fish brought about by the prevalence of hot weather condition during the month lowered their prices in NCR. Lower consumer demand for fish also reduced its prices as the Lenten season ended. In AONCR, the hot weather condition favored production of corn. Thus, prices of corn decreased this month. These seasonal factors pushed down prices of FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

   Compared to last month, price movement of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR was still negative at -0.2 percent in April from -0.1 percent. On the other hand, prices of these items in AONCR went up to 0.2 percent in April from 0.1 percent in March.

2. CPI of Non-FBT items: National Capital Region (NCR) and Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR)

The seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR recorded correspondingly at 171.3 and 165.0 in April were higher than their previous month’s respective levels of 169.3 and 164.4.

Bigger demand for some clothing and footwear items for the graduation season raised prices of non-FBT items in NCR. This seasonal factor however did not push up prices of non-FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

On a monthly basis, prices of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR moved up at a slower rate of 1.2 percent in April from 1.4 percent in March while that in AONCR remained at 0.4 percent.

For technical notes and other related information,
please visit:
http://www.census.gov.ph
or contact the Economic Indicators and Indices Division, NSO
at telephone number 716-3935

Page last updated: May 5, 2010