Prices of beef, fish, and spices have soared by about P50 per kilo at the Carbon Public Market in Cebu City days to the Christmas celebration and the New Year revelry.

While the price of pork is stable at P370 per kilo for belly, and P320 for other body parts, the price of beef has increased to P450 a kilo, specifically for lean meat from P430.

Price of chicken meat goes up by P50, at P210 a kilo from P160, while body parts or choice cuts such as wings, chicken breast, and drumstick, are at P230 a kilo.

According to vendors Manang Gloria and Tanya Avila, they purchased the meat on an already higher price from suppliers.

For fish, price increase ranges from P40 to P60 depending on the variety. Parrotfish (molmol), for example, is sold at P320 per kilo from P250 per kilo; Milkfish (bangus) at P220 a kilo steady price; Trout sweetlips (lipti) at P220; Island mackerel (anduhaw) at P240 from P180; Round scad/Mackerel scad (budburon) at P240 from P180, Dolphinfish/dorado (mahi-mahi) at P260 from P180; and Giant trevally (mamsa) at P320 from P250.

Fish vendors, such as Manang Marcelina, also pointed out that they purchased the fish from suppliers already at a higher price.

In addition, spices are as costly. Tomatoes, for example, are sold at P130 a kilo, citing Cebu  City's lack of supply. Vendors get their supply from traders in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.

For those who cannot live without chili, specifically bird’s eye chili (labuyo), pockets are certain to feel the burning sensation as well at P600 a kilo.

Meanwhile, long green chili (siling espada) is sold at P360 a kilo.

Vendors said that there apparently is a lack of chili supply which sent the prices shooting in December 2025.

Consumers Ethel Niala and Jeralyn Navarro said that a government agency's statement on a modest P500 Noche Buena, which has drawn flak, is not realistic indeed based on the soar in prices.