Brace yourself for potential pandesal price hikes.
This, after Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda said Tuesday, April 5 that the next price hike on basic goods would probably be on bread and other baked goods.
The reason? Shortages on wheat supply are expected in May due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Salceda said. Russia and Ukraine are both major wheat producers.
“We should still see to it that we have adequate buffers of wheat, as that will be the next commodity that will see significant price increases due to this global situation," said the House Committee on Ways and Means chairman and resident economist of the Lower Chamber.
“I am talking with some departments on the matter. I think the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is promoting wheat substitutes," he said
"On my end, I am strongly recommending fortifying our bread with other vitamins and minerals, so that, at least, if the ordinary consumer buys more expensive bread, they are also getting more by way of nutrition,” Salceda said.
“The next administration will inherit this situation, I have no doubt. So, food prices should always be part of the national conversation this election season," he further said.
The Russia-Ukraine war has already jacked up pump fuel prices to over P60 per liter for both gasoline and diesel.