Prices of 91 Noche Buena items going up

An estimated 91 stock-keeping units (SKUs) of various Noche Buena products are expected to increase prices as 10 manufacturers have already advised the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of price movements.

The DTI earlier said that it will issue the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) on Noche Buena products next month, October, or in November.

A source said that 91 SKUs are expected to adjust prices upwards as the Christmas season approaches to factor in higher cost of production. SKU is a number (usually eight alphanumeric digits) that retailers assign to products to keep track of stock levels internally.

The SRP Bulletin on Noche Buena items are estimated to comprise 130 SKUs.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo has confirmed that 10 out of 20 Noche Buena manufacturers have already advised the DTI that they are adjusting prices.

The DTI, however, has always tried to persuade manufacturers to maintain prices normally purchased by the masses, and adjust prices for the more premium brands.

Already, some brands of ham, pasta, and mayonnaise have raised prices. Castelo also said that some of the manufacturers have not raised prices on certain products since 2019.

Castelo, however, explained that SRPs only serve as information and guides for consumers as mandated under the Price Act.

The price guide includes products such as ham, keso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, pasta—spaghetti noodles, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and all-purpose cream.

To avoid panic-buying and ensure value for money, Castelo advised the public to shop this early and avoid the Christmas rush.