Noche Buena products DTI: ‘Buy now to avoid price spikes’

CEBU, Philippines — Holiday shoppers are urged to buy noche buena products as early as now to avoid the Christmas rush.

Asteria Caberte, director at the Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas, said shopping early is better for consumers because they will have more choices.

"We are monitoring very closely noche buena items," she told a consumers forum at Cebu Parklane Hotel yesterday.

"Start buying now to avoid spikes," she added.

Caberte said the suggested retail price (SRP) list for noche buena goods will remain until the end of the Christmas season.

Prices of in-demand Christmas goods in SRP list have been evaluated.

The DTI has reminded consumers to not only look at prices, but to be vigilant of the product’s expiry date.

Based on the price guide for noche buena, a 500-gram ham’s SRP ranges from P137 to P169, while the one-kilogram “jamon de bola” has an SRP of P315 to P329.

A 432-gram can of fruit cocktail has an SRP of P49 to P55, while a 500-gram pack of cheese has an SRP of P118.20 to P165.50.

An 80-ml pouch of sandwich spread has an SRP of P20.25 to P32.85 while that of an 80-ml pouch of mayonnaise would range from P28 to 28.80. The SRP for a 220-ml jar is P84.50 to P90.05.

For queso de bola, a 500-gram has an SRP of P279.50 to P410. A 400-gram pasta or spaghetti would cost between P30 to P49.10, while a 200-gram elbow and salad macaroni has an SRP of P15.25 to P34.45.

As for spaghetti sauce, a 250-gram has a suggested price of P22 to P27.90, while the SRP for 115-gram tomato sauce is P12.25 to P15.80. The SRP for 250-ml cream ranges from P49.50 to P55.

While some items have increased SRPs, some prices remained the same and some decreased.