Growth in factory gate prices slows in April

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May 31, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Growth in factory gate prices eased in April from the previous month due mainly to the slower increase in prices of refined petroleum products, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for the manufacturing sector posted a 2.4-percent uptick in April, slower than the 2.6 percent increase in March.

However, the April PPI growth was faster than the 0.2 percent increment in the same month last year.

PPI measures the average change in the prices at which products of domestic manufacturers are sold to wholesalers in the local market relative to a base period.

“The deceleration in the annual growth rate of PPI for the manufacturing section in April 2026 was primarily due to the slower annual increment in the PPI for manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products industry division,” PSA said.

The industry division contributed 62.7 percent to the deceleration in the annual growth rate of PPI for manufacturing in April.

In particular, it registered a 5.3 percent increase in factory gate price in April from 8.2 percent in March.

Also cited as a major contributor to the slower PPI increase was the computer, electronic and optical products industry division, which registered a slower increase of 4.3 percent in April from 4.9 percent in the previous month.

The basic metals industry division was another driver, as its factory gate price posted a slower 3.8 percent increase in April from the previous month’s 4.9 percent.

Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 16 saw increases in April such as food products; transport equipment; beverages; chemicals and chemical products; machinery and equipment; other non-metallic mineral products; tobacco products; fabricated metal products; wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products; basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations; furniture; other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment; printing and reproduction of recorded media; apparel; leather and related products, including footwear; and textiles.

On the other hand, industry divisions that registered declines in April are paper products; rubber and plastic products; and electrical equipment.

PPI growth averaged 1.9 percent in the January to April period.