Nanay Clara is already busy buying food items for Noche Buena.
She is looking for a spaghetti set and macaroni set to prepare macaroni salad.
She finds it more economical compared to buying the ingredients separately.
“I always shop early because it’s cheaper, and I buy a lot of items for Christmas to sell in my stores,” said Clara Buenavista, a consumer.
She is also taking advantage of the fewer shoppers at the moment.
Even though the prices of some Noche Buena items have increased, she doesn’t seem to mind.
“Later on, their stocks might run out like cheese so I buy now while they still have it,” she added.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), over 100 Noche Buena products have seen price increases this year.
Among these is ham, with a price hike ranging from 5 to 30 pesos.
Ralph Altiyen, Consumer Protection Division, DTI, Baguio-Benguet, stated, “Based on information from the head office, 101 items increased due to the higher cost of raw materials for some Noche Buena products.”
However, manufacturers assured the DTI that their prices will remain stable until New Year.
For those on a budget, pre-packaged Noche Buena sets are available, priced between 500 and 2,000 pesos depending on the package.
“We offer different packages for customers. It depends on the customer’s budget allocation. If there are price changes, it will only be minimal since we focus more on affordable items,” said Leah Nucaza, Marketing Manager.
The DTI reminds consumers to compare products before purchasing, check product labels, ensure quality, and buy only from trusted stores to avoid counterfeit items.
BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
