ILOILO City – As Christmas approaches, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assured the public of sufficient supplies of noche buena products in markets, retailer stores, and grocery outlets in this city and Iloilo province.
DTI-Iloilo provincial director Ma. Dinda Tamayo reported that monitoring by their inspection team confirmed the availability of popular noche buena items such as ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail, cheese, salad macaroni, tomato, and spaghetti sauce in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Tamayo also expressed satisfaction with retailers’ compliance with the 2024 Noche Buena Price Guide. She noted that most stores adhered to the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs), with some even selling below the recommended rates.
To ensure fair pricing, DTI conducts weekly monitoring in highly urbanized cities and monthly checks in provinces.
This year’s price guide covers 236 Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) from 22 manufacturers across 12 categories, including ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail, cheese, and spaghetti sauce.
Price Adjustments for 2024
Of the listed products, 101 SKUs experienced price increases; 13 SKUs saw price reductions; and 121 SKUs remained unchanged.
Notable price increases were recorded in ham, fruit cocktail, and cheese, attributed to higher costs of raw materials, local fruits, packaging, and operations.
Here are the key price ranges based on the 2024 Noche Buena Price Guide:
* Ham – P170 to P928.50
* Queso de Bola – P210 to P445
* Fruit Cocktail – P61.76 to P302.50
* Cheese – P56.50 to P310
* Spaghetti Sauce – P28.50 to P103
Tips for Smart Shopping
DTI advised consumers to maximize their purchasing power.
Refer to the DTI Noche Buena Price Guide to compare prices and plan purchases within the budget.
Explore cheaper alternatives if the preferred brand exceeds the budget.
Look for promotional bundles or discounted packs in supermarkets.
Verify product labels, price tags, and expiry dates to ensure quality./PN
