PRICE ALERT: You Might be Able to Buy Papaya for P35/ Kilo
In an effort to more accurately capture the prices of commodities in National Capital Region (NCR) markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has changed the format of their Price Monitoring sheets. Instead of publishing the prevailing prices of different commodities, they have switched to publishing the price ranges of different communities across selected NCR markets.Â
What's the Difference Between Prevailing Prices and Price Ranges?
Prevailing prices are the prices that are most frequently set by vendors in different markets. For example (and please note that this is hypothetical only): say the DA canvasses 5 markets for the price of talong or eggplant. If 3 markets sell their eggplants at P80 per kilo while the other two sell theirs at P70 per kilo, then this means that the prevailing price of eggplants is P80 per kilo since more markets sell at this price point.
On the other hand, the current format that the DA employs to report market prices, the price ranges, is exactly how it sounds like: it lists the lowest and highest possible prices you might encounter when you're in the market.Â
Instead of being able to use the prevailing price as a definite benchmark with which to compare differences the new format lets you see where your local market prices fall within the price range.Â
This Week's Notable Price Ranges
One of the biggest (possible) price drops this week is that of the papaya's:Â its prevailing price was at P60 last week and while the highest value of its price range this week holds steady at P60, you might be able to score papayas for P35 per kilo at certain NCR markets.Â
It's the same story for the alumahan, whose highest price range value holds steady at P360, but can be purchased for P320 per kilo in some markets.
We have also noted that after weeks of local white onions being unavailable in the market, the DA has finally listed a price as of this writing: P600 per kilo, but they are only available in Malabon Central Market.
Here is the food that saw a price increase this week:
.png)
Here is the food that saw a price decrease this week:
.png)
Here is the food that have significant price range differences:
.png)
Fish Cooking Tip
Poaching sounds like a fancy, intimidating cooking method, but all it means is "to cook food in simmering liquid." This is one of the best ways to cook fish without drying it out. And not only that: you end up with a super flavorful dish because you're essentially cooking it in a marinade! To draw inspiration from Chinese philospher Lao Tsu: Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person how to poach fish and they will have tender, delicious, and juicy fish for a lifetime!
Fish Recipes You Can Try With Alumahan
Alumahan is a versatile fish, and there are so many recipes you can try with it! From warm and soupy to excitingly crispy, we've got a whole range of fish recipes you're sure to love. Simply substitute the the fish used in these recipes with alumahan (if it isn't already alumahan).Â
Poached Fish in Olive Oil Recipe
Crispy Whole Fish in Thai Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
The palengke prices are sourced and gathered from various markets in these areas around the metro: Commonwealth, Guadalupe, Las Piñas, Malabon, Marikina, Mega Q-Mart, Muntinlupa, Muñoz, Pasay, Pasig, Pritil, Quinta, and San Andres.Â
For more information about the price watch of the Department of Agriculture, visit the government agency's website.
Price Alert is a weekly roundup of the prices of common goods and other ingredients monitored using the Department of Agriculture's Price Watch.Â
***
Thinking about what to cook next? Join our Facebook group, Yummy Pinoy Cooking Club, to get more recipe ideas, share your own dishes, and find out what the rest of the community are making and eating!
Got your own version of the classic dishes? Pa-share naman! Get your recipe published on Yummy.ph by submitting your recipe here.
