Consumers can expect prices of basic necessities to remain stable this month as manufacturers have yet to request any price adjustments, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI reported on Wednesday, Jan. 21, that 91 percent of stock-keeping units (SKUs) of basic goods and prime commodities have posted no price increases.

This means that 186 out of 205 SKUs, which represent the individual product variants consumers see on shelves, have retained their prices.

These SKUs include canned sardines in tomato sauce, instant mami noodles, laundry soap, candles, bread, toilet soap, and batteries.

The DTI expects the prices of these goods to remain at their current levels for the time being, as no manufacturers have yet filed adjustment requests.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque earlier secured the backing of manufacturers to refrain from increasing prices until the end of December last year to ensure price stability during the holiday season when demand is typically at its highest.

Manufacturers agreed with the request despite facing higher costs due to increases in the cost of raw materials, packaging, logistics, and tolling.

The manufacturers that kept their prices unchanged include domestic firms such as Universal Canning Inc., Maunlad Canning Inc., Permex Producer & Exporter Corp., Zest‑O Corp., Monde Nissin Corp., Nutri Asia, Asia Brewery Inc., Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc., Robinsons, JG Summit Holdings Inc., CDO Foodsphere Inc., Virginia Foods Inc., and Green Cross Inc.

The local units of multinationals likewise deferred price increases, including Unilever Philippines Inc., Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc., Colgate Palmolive Philippines Inc., and Energizer, among others.

For the remaining 19 SKUs, the DTI said some manufacturers have submitted requests for price adjustments. It did not identify what these items are.

“These requests are currently under careful evaluation by the DTI to ensure that any potential adjustments are justified, reasonable, and consistent with existing regulations,” it said.

To ensure consumers remain protected, Roque said her department will continue to engage with manufacturers and step up price monitoring efforts.

Through these efforts, consumers will be able to make informed choices when buying goods and businesses will be encouraged to uphold ethical and competitive pricing practices, she said.

“The DTI stays committed to protecting consumers while recognizing the economic realities faced by manufacturers,” Roque said.

The DTI last updated the suggested retail price (SRP) for basic goods and prime commodities in February 2025, when 77 out of 191 SKUs posted price increases due to soaring prices of raw materials.