MANILA, Philippines — The growth in the wholesale prices of goods in the entire country eased in July compared to June, as four commodity groups posted slower upticks, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Data from the PSA showed growth in the general wholesale price index (GWPI) at the national level moved up at a slower pace of eight percent in July from nine percent in June.
The July reading, however, was faster compared to the 2.9 percent growth in the same month last year.
GWPI measures the changes in prices in wholesale trade and can be used as a basis for price adjustments in business contracts and projects.
PSA attributed the easing of GWPI growth mainly to the slower annual increase in the index of manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials at 5.5 percent in July from 8.8 percent in June.
The food index also picked up at a slower pace of 11 percent in July from 11.4 percent in June.
Other commodity groups that had slower annual increments in July are mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials at 49.2 percent from 59.9 percent in June; and chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats at 5.1 percent from 5.9 percent in the previous month.
The index of crude materials, inedible except fuels, registered an annual drop of 2.5 percent in July from an 8.4 percent growth in June.
Meanwhile, those with higher increases in July are beverages and tobacco at 7.6 percent from 7.4 percent in June; and miscellaneous manufactured articles at 2.1 percent from an annual contraction of 0.6 percent in the previous month.
Machinery and transport equipment retained its annual growth rate at 1.4 percent for three consecutive months.
For the January to July period, the GWPI growth averaged 7.3 percent.
In Luzon, the GWPI also registered a slower annual growth rate of 8.2 percent in July from 9.4 percent in June.
This was due to the slower annual upticks posted in July compared to June by the following commodity groups: manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials; food; beverages and tobacco; mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials; and chemicals including animal and vegetable oils and fats.
In addition, crude materials, inedible except fuels, posted a 2.7 percent decrease in July from a 9.4 percent growth in June.
Miscellaneous manufactured articles posted a higher annual increase in July, while machinery and transport equipment’s annual growth rate in July was unchanged from June.
In the Visayas, the GWPI rose further at an annual pace of 6.4 percent in July from 5.2 percent in June.
This was driven by the faster annual increments in July in food; beverages and tobacco; chemicals including animal and vegetable oils and fats; and manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials.
Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials had a slower uptick in July, while miscellaneous manufactured articles registered an annual drop.
Those which retained the June annual growth rates in July are crude materials, inedible except fuels; and machinery and transport equipment.
PSA said the GWPI’s growth in Mindanao rose to 5.1 percent in July from 4.6 percent in June.
This, as food, beverages, and tobacco posted higher annual increases in July compared to June.
Meanwhile, growth rates decelerated in the following in July: mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials; and chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats.
In addition, the crude materials, inedible except fuels index, registered a contraction in July.
Those which kept the June annual growth rates in July are manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials; machinery and transport equipment; and miscellaneous manufactured articles.