By Rowena Cruz DTI inspectors conduct price checks on Noche Buena items to protect consumers from holiday overpricing. (Photo from DTI) ...
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| DTI inspectors conduct price checks on Noche Buena items to protect consumers from holiday overpricing. (Photo from DTI) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon –With the holiday season fast approaching, Filipinos are starting to plan their Noche Buena feasts. But with prices on the rise, many are concerned about the cost of traditional holiday favorites. To help shoppers make informed decisions and avoid overspending, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released its annual Noche Buena Price Guide.
This helpful guide lists suggested retail prices for a wide range of common Noche Buena products, from holiday staples like ham and queso de bola to essential ingredients like fruit cocktail and pasta. DTI Acting Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized the guide's role in empowering consumers to celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank. “This year’s Noche Buena Price Guide reflects our commitment to helping Filipino families enjoy a bountiful and affordable Christmas," she said.
This comprehensive guide includes 236 stock-keeping units (SKUs) across 12 product categories, ensuring you'll find information on everything you need for your holiday meal planning. In a welcome development for consumers, many items have maintained their 2023 prices, with some even showing reductions. The DTI assures consumers that these prices will remain stable until December 31st.
To make the most of this valuable resource, consumers can familiarize themselves with the helpful features the guide provides. For instance, look for symbols that indicate price changes at a glance. A star indicates no price change from the previous year, while a Christmas tree symbol highlights products with decreased prices. The guide also offers practical tips to help shoppers stretch their holiday budget further.
One way to save money is to check expiration dates and consider buying in bulk to take advantage of potential discounts. The DTI also reminds consumers to be vigilant against overpricing, which unfortunately can occur during the busy holiday season. If you encounter any instances of overpriced goods, don't hesitate to report them by visiting the DTI website.
Now that you know how to use the guide, let's take a look at some of the specific products and price ranges it covers. To give consumers a better understanding of what to expect, the guide provides examples for some of the most popular Noche Buena items. Ham, a holiday staple, ranges from P170.00 to P928.50, while queso de bola is priced between P210.00 and P445.00. For a refreshing addition to the table, fruit cocktail costs from P61.76 to P302.50.
But the festive favorites don't stop there! The guide also covers a variety of other essential ingredients for creating delicious and affordable holiday dishes. Cheese, a versatile staple, ranges from P56.50 to P310.00, while mayonnaise is priced between P20.40 and P245.85. All-purpose cream, another kitchen essential, costs between P36.50 and P72.00.
And for those planning a pasta feast, the guide has all the information you need to make informed choices about your noodles and sauces. Whether you prefer spaghetti or macaroni, you'll find the price ranges listed in the guide. Sandwich spread ranges from P27.00 to P263.60, pasta/spaghetti is priced from P32.00 to P114.00, and elbow macaroni ranges from P30.50 to P126.25.
To complete your pasta creations, the guide also includes prices for various sauces. Tomato sauce costs between P16.50 and P92.85, salad macaroni is priced from P36.50 to P126.25, and spaghetti sauce ranges from P28.50 to P103.00. With this detailed price guide in hand, Filipinos can confidently shop for their Noche Buena needs and enjoy a delicious and affordable holiday celebration.
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