High prices of fish and rice dilemma: Geopolitics clouds PHL food outlook

FISH and other marine products are usually expensive during the Lenten season.

- 

This is reflected in the latest price monitoring of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which indicated that fish prices as of March 14 were higher compared with last year's levels.Prices of alumahan and large bangus or milkfish, according to the DA data, were higher by around P20 per kilo while the average price of local squid rose by almost P50 per kilo.

The average prices of rice and corn, however, were relatively stable. Figures from the agency showed that the price tag of white corn, which is sometimes substituted for rice, was lower at P77 per kilo from the previous year's P86 per kilo. Commercial regular milled rice posted an increase of P2 per kilo compared with last year's cost, but qualified beneficiaries of a government program are allowed to buy Kadiwa rice at P20 per kilo.