Caraga

1.    Headline Inflation

Headline Inflation in Caraga Slows to 0.6 Percent in April 2025

The headline inflation rate for all income households in the Caraga region decelerated to 0.6 percent in April 2025. This reflects a 0.7 percentage point decrease from the 1.3 percent recorded in March 2025, and a significant 2.8 percentage point drop from the 3.4 percent posted in the same month last year.  (Refer to Table A, Table B, and Figure 1 for more details.)

Among the 13 commodity groups, the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages emerged as the primary driver to the overall slowdown in inflation for April 2025. The average price change for this group fell to -0.8 percent, a notable decline from 0.6 percent in March 2025. This group contributed a substantial 76.8 percent share in the overall inflation trend. 

The key contributors to the slowdown within the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages group were the declining prices of cereals and cereal products, particularly rice, which recorded an inflation rate of -11.4 percent this month, down from -8.7 percent in March. Additionally, fish and other seafood saw inflation ease to 2.7 percent in April 2025 from 5.2 percent in the previous month. 

Other commodity groups that showed a decreased inflation include:

A.    Transport: -2.9 percent from -1.0 percent in the previous month;
B.    Recreation, Sport and Culture: 3.8 percent from 4.2 percent; and
C.    Personal Care, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services: 2.4 percent from 2.6 percent. 

On the other hand, higher annual growth rates were observed in the indices of the following commodity groups during the month:

A.    Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 6.0 percent from 5.9 percent;
B.    Clothing and Footwear, 2.4 percent from 2.3 percent;
C.    Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, 3.4 percent from 2.1 percent; 
D.    Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance, 1.5 percent from 1.4 percent;

E.    Health, 3.5 percent from 2.9 percent; 
F.    Information and Communication, 1.0 percent from 0.9 percent; and
G.    Restaurants and Accommodation Services, 2.2 percent from 2.1 percent.

Meanwhile, commodity groups that exhibited consistent rates were noted in the following:

A.    Education Services, at 1.9 percent; and
B.    Financial Services, at 0.0 percent.

2.    Food Inflation

Regional Food Prices Drop: Food Inflation Falls to -1.0 Percent in April 2025

Food inflation for all income households in the Caraga region declined to -1.0 percent in April 2025, a notable decrease from 0.5 percent in March 2025. This figure is significantly lower compared to the 7.6 percent inflation rate recorded in April 2024.

The decline in food inflation in Caraga for April 2025 was primarily attributed to substantial reductions in the inflation rates of key food categories:

A.    Cereals and cereal products:

The year-on-year growth rate for this category dropped further to -11.4 percent in April 2025, from -8.7 percent in the previous month. The decrease was mainly driven by the continued decline in rice prices, which fell to -14.5 percent this month from             -10.9 percent in March.

B.    Fish and other seafood:

Inflation in this food group declined to 2.7 percent in April 2025, down from 5.2 percent in March 2025. This reduction was primarily driven by lower prices of certain fresh fish, particularly sardines (tamban), which significantly contributed to the overall decrease in inflation for this category.

Other food groups with decreased inflation are the following:

A.    Flour, bread and other bakery products, pasta products, and other cereals, 1.5 percent from 2.2 percent;
B.    Meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, 7.0 percent from 7.4 percent;
C.    Oils and fats, 6.9 percent from 8.8 percent;
D.    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, 3.7 percent from 4.8 percent; and
E.    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., 2.5 percent from 4.0 percent.

On the contrary, increased inflation was recorded during the month in the indices of the following food groups:

A.    Corn, -6.9 percent from -9.0 percent;
B.    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, 6.7 percent from 5.2 percent;
C.    Fruits and nuts, 10.0 percent from 6.1 percent; and
D.    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, 2.7 percent from 2.5 percent.

B.     Provinces and Highly Urbanized City (HUC)

In April 2025, inflation trends across the Caraga region showed variation among its five provinces and one Highly Urbanized City (HUC). Most areas experienced a decline in inflation including Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Butuan City (HUC). In contrast, Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands posted higher inflation rates, recorded at 1.0 percent and -1.2 percent, respectively. 

Among the provinces and HUC in the region, Butuan City recorded the highest inflation rate at 1.6 percent in April 2025. Despite being the highest, this marks a decline from 1.9 percent in March 2025. Conversely, the Dinagat Islands recorded the lowest inflation rate at -1.2 percent during the same period. (Refer to Table A.)

Note:
CPIs and inflation rates by province and selected city are posted on the PSA website (http://openstat.psa.gov.ph/).

(Sgd.) GUILLERMO M. LIPIO, JR.
(Chief Statistical Specialist)
Officer-In-Charge
PSA RSSO XIII