As the onset of Christmas season has started, prices of goods for noche buena (Christmas eve feast) have started to soar.
Prices of noche buena goods such as queso de bola, fruit cocktails, and pasta have risen, tied with the soaring inflation in the Philippines, according to Inquirer.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry’s Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, only a fourth of the Christmas goods have retained their prices.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez appeased the public that the price increases should not cause panic as only the high-end brands and premium products have increased in prices.
“Basic, regular and mass-based brands of ham [and queso de bola have] no price increases,” he said.
Suggested retail prices of queso de bola increased within the range of P20 to P55, while ham prices went up by P5 to P38.75.
As of October 13, here are the price increase ranges of the following products according to Laban Konsyumer Inc:
