Food, Beverages and Tobacco (FBT) and Non-FBT Items
(NCR and AONCR - May 2011)

A. 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 registered at 159.9 in May was higher than its April level of 159.7. However in AONCR, its level went down to 176.2 from 176.3 last month.

Seasonal factors such as the observance of traditional fiestas during the month did not affect prices of FBT items in the two areas relative to the expected trend.

On a monthly basis, the increase in the prices of the seasonally adjusted CPI for FBT items in NCR picked up to 0.1 percent in May from -0.1 percent in April while in AONCR, it dropped to -0.1 percent from a zero growth.

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

The seasonally adjusted CPI of non-FBT items in NCR and AONCR increased to 175.7 and 173.1 in May from their last month’s levels of 176.0 and 172.3, respectively.

Higher demand for some clothing items in preparation for the opening of classes pushed up prices of non-FBT items in NCR. On the other hand, this seasonal factor did not raise prices of non- FBT items in AONCR relative to the expected trend.

Measured a month ago, price movement in the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items in NCR declined to -0.2 percent in May from 0.2 percent in April. In AONCR, the increment in the prices of the seasonally adjusted CPI for non-FBT items moved up at a slower pace of 0.5 percent from 0.8 percent.

Page last updated: June 7, 2011