Some 185 stock keeping units (SKUs) of the 240 Noche Buena products reflect higher prices this year from their levels year ago, a price guide to be released today by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed.
DTI assistant secretary Amanda Nograles in a press conference said manufacturers have cited increased cost in raw materials and in packaging as the reason for the increase.
Nograles said 34 SKUs did not reflect any price increases while 21 recorded decreases.
Nograles said 83 SKUs or 35 percent of all SKUs increased their prices by 1 to 5 percent; 37 SKUs increased their prices by 6 to 10 percent while 32 hiked prices by more than 10 percent.
She said across all 12 categories covered by the Noche Buena price guide, cheese had the biggest price increase of P49. Other products which increased their prices are sandwich spread, ham, fruit cocktail and quest de bola.
According to Nograles, the price guide will prevail until December 31.
She said the number of SKUs is higher this year from 222 in 2022 largely because all manufacturers of Noche Buena products were asked to submit their prices.
“We included consumer tips in the price guide. (We advise) consumers can compare prices and check on expiry date and to watch out for upcoming promos,” Nograles said.
