Prices of goods to increase starting April 1 —supermarkets group

Prices of several products in some supermarkets are set to increase starting April 1 following fuel price hikes due to tensions in the Middle East, according to a supermarkets group on Friday.

Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association Inc. president Steven Cua said some manufacturers have already announced price adjustments.

“So far, iilan pa lang. Mabibilang sa dalawang kamay. Kaunti pa lang,” he told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(So far, only a few. Can be counted on two hands. Just a few.)

“Although may isa lang ang nag-abiso na lahat ng produkto niya kailangan tumaas. Ito ay mga chemicals at siguro naubusan na sila ng raw material,” he added.

(Although one manufacturer has announced that the prices of all their products need to be increased. These are chemicals and maybe they have run out of raw material.)

Among the affected products are pasta, noodles, canned goods, and candies.

“Tubig, yung isa, medyo malaki ang itataas (One manufacturer of bottled water will impose a steep increase),” he said.

Cua said the price increase may reach up to 10%.

He noted that the price adjustments may not be a one-time move, as manufacturers could implement gradual increases depending on market conditions and consumer behavior. —AOL, GMA Integrated News