Headline Inflation

The headline inflation for all income households in the province of Agusan del Sur decelerated to 0.7 percent in November 2024 from 1.9 in October 2024. This is 1.2 % lower as compared to preceding month of this year. Inflation in November 2023 was higher at 5.3 percent. The average inflation from January 2024 to November 2024 stood at 2.7 percent. (Table A and Figure 1)

For comparison, the provincial headline inflation for all income households in November 2024 is the same with the regional inflation yet slower than the national inflation at 3.2 percent.

Among the 13 commodity groups, the downtrend in the overall inflation in November 2024 of the province was brought about by housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at -3.2 percent from 2.9 percent in the previous month. This was followed by the heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.5 percent from 3.3 percent in October 2024.
In addition, lower annual increments which contributed to the downtrend in the inflation rate during the month were also depicted in the indices of the commodity groups of the following:

a)    Information and communication, (1.2) percent from (2.5) percent;
b)    Personal care and miscellaneous goods and services, (2.4) percent from (2.5) percent.

On the other hand, higher annual growth rate was observed in the indices of the following:

a)    Alcoholic beverages and tobacco, (2.1) percent from (0.8 percent);
b)    Health, (2.0) percent from (1.9) percent;
c)    Transport, (-2.4) percent from ( -4.1).

The rest of the commodity groups that maintained steady rates were reported in the indices of Clothing and footwear, (0.2) percent; Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance, (0.6) percent; Recreation, (2.6) percent; Education Services, (0.3) percent; Restaurants and Accommodation services, (0.0) percent and Financial Services, (1.4) percent.

Food Inflation

Food inflation for all income households at the provincial level went down to 2.5 percent in November 2024 from 3.5 percent in October 2024. In November 2023, food inflation was higher at 8.4 percent. 
The downtrend on inflation for food in November 2024 was mainly influenced by the lower year-on-year growth rate on rice at 6.0 percent from 8.1 percent in October 2024. This was followed by fish and other seafoods at 2.5 percent from 4.4 percent. Furthermore, fruits and nuts at 7.4 percent from 9.1 percent and meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals at 0.6 percent from 1.0 percent declined in November 2024 as compared with the previous month.

On the contrary, the following food groups recorded an uptick in inflation rate during the month:

a)    Vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, (-2.8) percent from (-6.3) percent;
b)    Oils and fats, (9.8) percent from (4.8) percent;
c)    Milk, other dairy products and eggs, (3.5) percent from (3.4) percent.
d)    Sugar, confectionery and desserts, (-10.7) percent from (-12.9) percent;
e)    Ready-made food and other food products n.e.c., (5.6) percent from (4.8) percent.

(Sgd.) DEMETRIO T. DEJOLDE JR.
Chief Statistical Specialist