Rice Inflation at 14-Year High Defies Philippine Price Control

  • Statistics agency head said compliance with cap was an issue
  • Survey showed Filipinos consumed less rice as prices jumped

Filipinos spent more on rice but consumed less of the staple grain compared to last year.

Photographer: Iya Forbes/Bloomberg
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Rice inflation in the Philippines soared to a 14-year high in September, indicating limited impact of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s price cap on the staple grain.

Price gains of the grain quickened to 17.9% year-on-year last month from 8.7% in August, boosting overall inflation beyond economists’ expectations in a Bloomberg survey. That’s even after Marcos ordered in early September to cap rice prices amid supply shocks and reported hoarding locally.