THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) noted an increase in some prices of ingredients used for Noche Buena dishes after it released an updated suggested retail price (SRP) list of selected commodities.
Data from DTI showed that there was a price increase for some brands of ham, elbow and macaroni salad, spaghetti, and creamer while the price of most brands of sandwich spread, mayonnaise, spaghetti sauce, fruit salad, cheese, keso de bola, and tomato sauce have increased.
However, Deolly Roque, DTI-Davao officer-in-charge for consumer protection, told SunStar Davao on Wednesday, October 24, that the price increase for many of the products is not that much. Prices of most products have increased by around P1 to P10, depending on the brand.
Roque said the largest increase can be observed among cheese and keso de bola brands. The price of cheese have increased by P4 to almost P13. Keso de bola brands have increase their prices by P5 to almost P13.
She said the producers of cheese and keso de bola have increased their prices due to a low supply of milk in the market.
Roque said as a whole, the price increase are also due to the higher prices of raw materials and the high inflation rate.
Consumers may check DTI's website for the latest SRPs of the ingredients for Noche Buena items.