Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - April 2011)

A. 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 159.7 April from 159.9 in March while AONCR retained its March level of 176.4.

The prevalence of favorable weather condition brought good production of eggs during the month resulting to its lower prices in NCR. The abundant supply of vegetables and in-season fruits in the markets were also noted during the period. These seasonal factors pushed down prices of FBT items in NCR and AONCR relative to the expected trend.

The monthly movement of the seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT items in NCR was still negative at -0.1 percent in April from -0.3 percent in March. In AONCR, it posted a zero growth from 0.3 percent last month.

B. 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 observed at 177.7 and 172.5 in April were higher than their March levels of 176.2 and 171.1, respectively.

Seasonal factors such as the increase in the prices of construction materials during the summer season pushed up prices of non-FBT items in NCR. On the other hand, this seasonal factor did not raise prices of non- FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

The month-on-month inflation of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR correspondingly rose 0.9 percent and 0.8 percent in April from their respective previous month’s rates of 0.5 percent and 0.6 percent.

Page last updated: May 5, 2011