CONSUMERS should brace for higher prices of Noche Buena meat products as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday said that the production cost of meat processors had increased by 15% to 20%.
However, DTI assistant secretary Mary Jean Pacheco said that some meat products would see only a “very minimal” price increase during the upcoming holiday season.
“Sabi ng meat processors na ang itinaas daw ng kanilang production cost is 15% to 20%. Pero dahil daw gusto naman nila na ang Pilipino maging masaya, mababa lang po… parang 0 to 4% ‘yung [itinaas ng] some of the meat products, very minimal,” said Pacheco in a public briefing.
Pacheco said that not all products, hams in particular, increased their prices, based on DTI’s monitoring of Noche Buena items.
She added: “Hindi lahat ng hamon ay tumaas based sa aming pag-monitor. Hindi naman. ‘Yun ang nakita namin, kinolekta namin ‘yung manufacturers’ SRP, at hindi naman talaga lahat nagtaas.”
Given the situation, Pacheco encouraged consumers to check DTI’s Noche Buena guide to compare prices of various products and to buy items that fit their budget.
“Mamili tayo na naaayon sa budget natin at sa panlasa natin,” she reminded.
“Ang gusto ho namin matuto tayong mamili at maging mapanuri para pagpunta natin sa groceries, alam na natin ang bibilhin natin kasi napagpilian na natin na ito, kaya kong bilhin, kaya ng bulsa ko ‘to, kaya ng budget ko ‘to, at gusto ko rin itong brand na ito,” Pacheco added.
(GMA Integrated News)
