Lower Meat and Vegetable Prices Slow Inflation in Pangasinan and La Union

AGRI-NEWS | BUSINESS Posted on 2026-03-12 07:42:32

Malasiqui, Pangasinan — Inflation rates in Pangasinan and La Union slowed in February compared to January, largely due to lower prices of several agricultural products, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the Ilocos Region.

During an online briefing on Thursday, Danites Teñido, chief statistical specialist of PSA-La Union, said inflation in La Union dropped to 1.2 percent in February, down from 1.4 percent in January.

The decline was mainly driven by reduced prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, particularly poultry and pork products. Poultry inflation fell to -1.1 percent from 13.5 percent, while pork prices declined to -0.9 percent from 7.3 percent.

Prices of certain vegetables also contributed to the slowdown. Inflation for onions and shallots significantly decreased from 59.3 percent in January to 1.9 percent in February. Meanwhile, other pelagic fish recorded a slower price increase, with inflation easing to 13 percent from 16.6 percent.

Other sectors also influenced the inflation rate, including transport and education services. Passenger transport by road remained at 8.2 percent, while education services showed steady inflation rates across different levels of schooling.

However, fuel wood prices increased, recording 10.3 percent inflation, partly due to the tobacco curing season when farmers use fuel wood to dry tobacco leaves.

In Pangasinan, inflation slowed to 1.6 percent in February, down from 2.4 percent in January, according to Ana Liza Orperia, statistical specialist at PSA-Pangasinan.

The slowdown was mainly attributed to lower rental costs and decreased prices of several agricultural products. Inflation for vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses dropped sharply to -4.6 percent from 10.7 percent in January.

Jinnefer Pulmano Alcaide, project evaluation officer at the Department of Agriculture, said the availability of agricultural produce in the region contributed to the price decline. She noted that the supply in local markets remains sufficient due to strong harvests during the previous quarter.

However, Alcaide cautioned that rising fuel costs could push inflation higher in the coming months since fuel is a key input in agricultural production and transport.

Meanwhile, Jericho Jay Abacco of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development said the national inflation forecast has been adjusted to 3.6 percent from 2.4 percent, partly due to global uncertainties related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

For its part, Clyde Ciddrick Yapit of the Department of Trade and Industry in the Ilocos Region said regular monitoring shows that prices of basic goods and essential commodities remain generally stable across the region’s four provinces.

Although slight price fluctuations were recorded, Yapit said the overall market situation remains stable.

NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR

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