National rice stocks at the start of May were estimated at 2.37 million metric tons, marking a 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by the aggressive palay procurement efforts of the National Food Authority (NFA).
Rice prices continued to ease in early May, indicating a potential further slowdown in inflation after headline inflation decelerated in April to its slowest pace since November 2019.
Inflation in the Philippines could ease further in April, following a drop to 1.8 percent in March—the slowest pace since May 2020—if rice prices continue to decline in the latter half of the month.
The country's rice stocks inventory was estimated at 1.61 million metric tons at the start of March, an 18 percent increase from the 1.37 million metric tons recorded in the same period last year.
Philippine inflation decelerated to 1.8 percent in March, its slowest pace since the 1.6 percent registered in May 2020 when the economic activities was challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns. This decline, down from 2.1 percent in February, was largely driven by lower food prices, particularly rice, which saw a significant annual decrease.
Filipino households and businesses can look forward to significant relief at the pumps this week, with a major downward adjustment in fuel costs forecast following five consecutive weeks of mixed price trends.
Chemical maker D and L Industries Inc. is more hopeful about next year following the US midterm elections, which have raised hopes for an end to the Iran conflict, lower oil prices and a stronger peso. President Alvin Lao cited these as clear positives, though he warned that damaged supply chains, a severe El Niño and domestic political tensions remain key concerns.
AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALLHC) sharply improved its earnings in the third quarter, with net income of P62 million helping narrow its nine-month profit decline to 9 percent as industrial lot sales gained traction and cold storage operations expanded.
PLDT Inc. says the sliding Philippine peso is driving up costs for its information and communications technology projects, especially those that rely heavily on imported gear and materials.