DTI: Manufacturers to address higher prices of 'noche buena items'

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday said manufacturers of Christmas products have assured efforts to ensure that products are sold within range of the Noche Buena price guide it released earlier, following consumer reports of price deviations.

According to the DTI, it met with manufacturers on Monday, December 11, 2023, to discuss reports that Christmas items such as queso de bola, fruit cocktails, ham, all-purpose cream, and mayonnaise were sold above the prices indicated in the price guide.

“In response, the manufacturers agreed to verify with their retail partners to address this concern,” it said in an emailed statement.

“Further, some manufacturers in the said meeting committed to intensify their own price and supply monitoring efforts to ensure that their products are sold in accordance with the Noche Buena Price Guide until the end of the year,” it added.

The agency in November released a price guide for Noche Buena items, which indicated that 152 out of 240 Christmas product lines — including ham, fruit cocktail, and spaghetti sauce — saw increases from last year.

“As part of our commitment to ensure that Noche Buena items remain affordable and of good quality this holiday season, we are intensifying our price monitoring efforts all over the country,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

“Through this meeting with manufacturers, we aim to assure consumers that the DTI remains at the forefront of ensuring that the rights of consumers are protected,” he added.

Trade Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles also earlier called on the public to be “creative” and mix and match food items this holiday season, as she said there need not be ham and spaghetti for Christmas celebrations as long as the family is complete and gives thanks together.

Inflation clocked in at a 20-month low of 4.1% in November to bring the year-to-date figure to 6.2%, still higher than the government’s target range of 2.0% to 4.0%.

The heavily weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index — which had a 59.5% share to the overall decline last month — saw an inflation rate of 5.7% in November, down from 7.0% in October. —NB, GMA Integrated News