The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there will be no upward adjustment in the price of canned sardines following a commitment from an industry group, allaying initial concerns of a price hike.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 24, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said she met with members of the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP) on Monday, June 23, to address the industry’s plan to request a price increase.
Canned sardine manufacturers were set to propose a ₱3-peso adjustment in the suggested retail price (SRP) of a 155-gram can of sardines, from the current ₱21 to ₱24, due to rising production costs.
CSAP, led by Chattrade, Mega Prime Foods Inc., PERMEX, Universal Canning Inc., and Century Pacific Food Inc., have since committed to Roque that they will maintain the SRP.
“We appreciate the industry’s commitment to the Filipino consumer, especially with the economic pressures families are facing today,” said Roque.
“Their decision not to increase prices supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to keep basic goods affordable and ease the daily burden on consumers,” she added.
Meanwhile, the DTI’s Fair Trade Group (FTG) confirmed that it has not yet receive a formal petition for a price adjustment.
Under the amended Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 or the Price Act, the DTI monitors prices of canned fish, classified as a basic necessity.
Roque said her agency will continue to monitor the market to ensure prices remain stable and fair.