Lechon, ham prices increase ahead of Christmas

Serving lechon and ham this Christmas will be more costly for Filipinos as their prices have gone up amid high demand, according to the "24 Ors" report by Tina Panganiban-Perez.

At La Loma, the known lechon capital in Mero Manila, the price of lechon for 15 persons is now at P7,500 from the previous P6,000.

"Mabenta po kasi ngayon ang lechon. (There's a high demand for lechon this season)," Ned Boy Torrers, a seller said.

The bigger size lechon can reach as to as high as P25,500.

"Tumaas nang konti kasi 'yung mga suppliers namin tumaas din ang presyo. (The prices have slightly gone up because our suppliers have also raised their prices)," Minda Atim said, adding that the bigger variety comes with free dishes such as dinuguan, bopis and lechon paksiw.

Despite the price increase, several customers don't want lechon missing from their tables during noche buena.

"It's a sign of prosperity, that's why we have lechon yearly," Jackie Advincula said.

Another customer, Chato Obrador, went to La Loma from Batangas to buy lechon even just a kilo or two.

"We don't have budget for a whole lechon so we will just buy several kilos," she said.

The price per kilo of the meat can go as high as P1,500.

Prices of ham, meanwhile, have slightly gone up by seven percent, the report said.  One kilo of Chinese ham now costs P1,880 in a popular store in Quiapo, Manila.  The scrap ham is sold at P1,640 per kilo.

Despite the cost, long lines of buyers can be seen in the store beginning early morning.—LDF, GMA Integrated News