Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - August 2008)

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 posted at 148.0 in August was lower than its July level of 148.2. In AONCR, the index increased to 160.7 from 160.4.

   The heavy rains caused by typhoon “Karen” during the month affected the deliveries of vegetables from the production areas to wet markets in NCR, thereby increasing their prices. The inclement weather conditions in the past weeks which reduced the fishermen’s fishing trips caused limited supply of selected marine fish species in the markets. Moreover, lower production of eggs affected by these weather conditions raised its prices in NCR and AONCR. All these factors pushed up prices of FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

   The monthly rate of change of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR further decreased to -0.2 percent in August from -0.1 percent in July while those in AONCR moved up at a slower pace of 0.2 percent from 1.6 percent.

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

The seasonally adjusted CPI of FBT in NCR and AONCR correspondingly grew to 164.3 and 159.8 in August from their respective July levels of 163.3 and 158.4.

The lean month of August did not push down prices of non-FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

Upward price adjustments of seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR respectively decelerated to 0.6 percent and 0.9 percent in August from their respective July rates of 0.8 percent and 1.3 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: September 5, 2008