Prices of Noche Buena products going up

MANILA,Philippines — Prices of Noche Buena items are going up, but the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is tempering the increases by issuing the suggested retail price (SRP) list for the products.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said yesterday that the DTI has approved the SRP list.

“The increases are small. Those are small and those are the only increases we allowed,” he said.

The price guide showed the 500-gram King Sue Hawaiian Ham loaf has an SRP of P140, up from P137 last year, while the 500-g CDO American ham is now priced at P155 from P145 the previous year. The 500-g Purefoods Brick Ham is now at P160 from P149 a year ago, and the 500-g Virginia Brick Ham is sold at P189 from P169 last year.

For fruit cocktail, the 432-g Seasons tropical fruit cocktail’s SRP is at a higher P50.35 from P49 last year, while the price of the 432-g Today’s mixed fruits also increased to P51.20 from P49.75. The price of the 432-g Del Monte Fiesta in extra light syrup likewise went up to P56.45 from P55 a year ago, as well as that of the 432-g SRP of Dole tropical fruit cocktail which is now at P55.15 from P53.50.

For cheese, the SRP of 165-g Eden filled cheese rose to P49.50 from the previous year’s P48.50, while price of the 180-g Danes classic cheese is steady at P48.

The 80-milliliter pouch of Best Food sandwich spread now has a higher SRP of P21.05 from P20.25 last year. Other sandwich spread products which had increases in SRPs are the 80-ml pouch of Lady’s Choice now at P32.75 from P31.50 a year ago and the 115-g Cheez Whiz regular stand-up pouch sold at P39.95 from P39.25.

Meanwhile, the SRP of 80-ml Eden sandwich spread remained at P28.

The SRP for the 80-ml Eden mayonnaise was unchanged at P28, as well as for the 220-ml pouch of Best Food regular mayo at P83.35.

Prices for queso de bola such as 300-g Ques-o de bola and 350-g Magnolia Queso de bola were also steady at P169 and P215, respectively.

When it comes to spaghetti, those which kept the same SRPs as last year are the 400-g El Real spaghetti (P30), 400-g Fiesta spaghetti (P35), 400-g La Filipina spaghetti (P49.15) and 400-g Royal spaghetti (P52.50).

Those with increased SRPs, meanwhile, are the 400-g Amigo Segurado spaghetti that went up to P34 from P30 last year and the 400-g Del Monte spaghetti that rose to P52.25 from P49.10 a year ago.

For elbow macaroni, those that have the same SRPs as last year are the 200-g Sunshine elbow (P18.75), 200-g Fiesta (P20), 200-g Ideal Gourmet (P27) and 200-g Royal (P32.50).

SRP for the 200-g Amigo Segurado went up to P19 from P15.25 last year, while the price of

200-g Del Monte climbed to P36.65 from P34.45.

Spaghetti sauce products that have the same prices as last year are the 250-g Amigo Segurado (P22),  250-g UFC spaghetti sauce (P22.75) and 250-g Del Monte Filipino style (P25).

The SRP for the 250-g Hunt’s spaghetti sauce parmesan cheese, meanwhile, is now at P25.50 from P25 last year.

For tomato sauce, the SRP of the 115-g UFC tomato sauce sold in supermarkets is unchanged from last year at P12.25, while the 115-g Del Monte tomato sauce original also kept its price at P15.80.

On the other hand, the 115-g Hunt’s tomato sauce increased its price to P13.80 from P13.50 a year ago.

Creamers like the 250-ml Alaska Crema now has an SRP of P55 from P49.50 the previous year, while the 250-ml Nestle All Purpose Cream is sold at P59 from 55.

SRPs apply nationwide and to both supermarkets and wet markets, unless specified.

Before making the purchase, DTI said consumers should examine the expiry date and price tag of products.

Consumers should also ensure the shelf price and price at the cashier are the same. Should prices differ, the DTI said a consumer should pay the lesser amount.

“You have the power to choose: read the labels carefully and compare competing brands,” DTI said.

For inquiries or complaints, consumers can either visit the nearest DTI office or contact DTI direct at 7513330 or 09178343330. Consumers can also go to www.dti.gov.ph or any of DTI’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.