No price hike for 134 Noche Buena products: DTI chief

FILE: Small, spherical Edam cheese (Photo By Yvwv/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that a total of 134 Noche Buena products have maintained their prices while six products have lower prices in 2019 compared to last year’s suggested retail price (SRP) list.

In a 2018 versus 2019 comparative SRPs of Noche Buena products released by the agency, 134 product lines, such as queso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, as well as creamer products have maintained their prices since last year.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez shared the news amid recent reports that 92 products have increased their prices. Every year, there are increases for a few premium brands and most would have minimal increases. However, brands for mass-based markets do not usually change.

“This is due to their fear of competition and the probability of losing market share in a price-sensitive segment,” Lopez said in a statement.

Six products, including queso de bola, spaghetti, and tomato sauce, even decreased their prices by PHP11. Among the six products are Danes Cheese Ball, Amigo Segurado spaghetti, La Filipina spaghetti, Del Monte Filipino Style tomato sauce, and Del Monte Original tomato sauce.

Meanwhile, among the 134 products with no price increase, nine were queso de bola (Ques-O, Magnolia, Che-Vital, Danes); 11 were cheese (Eden, Danes Classic, Kraft Cheddar, Che-Vital quickmelt); 14 were sandwich spread (Eden, Cheez Whiz, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 14 were mayonnaise products (Eden, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 13 were spaghetti products (El Real, Fiesta, La Filipina, Royal, Sunshine, Ideal Gourmet, Balducci, San Remo); 17 were elbow and salad macaroni (Sunshine, Fiesta, Ideal Gourmet, Royal); 19 were spaghetti sauce products (Amigo Segurado, UFC, Del Monte, Sunshine, Fiesta, Royal); 10 were tomato sauce (UFC, Del Monte, Amigo); and three were creamer products (Angel Krem, Alaska Crema Combi, Asada).

Ham manufacturers have introduced new sizes for some of their products. These variations are available in smaller packs, which offer lower cash out for consumers.

DTI recently issued the SRPs of Noche Buena products, which serve as a price guide for consumers as they prepare for the holidays.

Noche Buena products are not considered part of the necessities and prime commodities, and they are not under price control.

Lopez advised consumers to purchase their Noche Buena and Media Noche needs at supermarkets, where prices are monitored by the DTI.

To help consumers, Lopez shared smart tips for Noche Buena and Media Noche shopping:

— Prepare your shopping list using the SRP list at www.dti.gov.ph before going to the leading supermarket in your area. You can also check it via the e-Presyo mobile app.
— Watch out for promo bundle packs in the promo section. Most food manufacturing companies offer bundle packs of Noche Buena products, which provide savings. Some of these bundle packs are spaghetti with sauce and cheese; and macaroni with mayonnaise and fruit cocktail.
— Look for products that are not expiring soon.

“Most importantly, I advise consumers to choose the products they find value for themselves and their family. It is advised to do the Christmas grocery shopping early and avoid the holiday rush,” Lopez said.

“DTI would like to ensure that consumers will always have the value-for-money product and brand options that they can choose from, especially this Christmas season,” he added.