DTI recently issued the SRP of noche buena products as guide for consumers for the holidays. #nochebuena #nopricehike

Thirteen spaghetti brands have no price increase, according to the DTI. (T&P)

MANILA — A total of 134 noche buena products have maintained their prices while six products have lower prices in 2019 compared to last year’s suggested retail price (SRP) list, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported Friday.

In a 2018 versus 2019 comparative SRP of noche buena products released by the agency, 134 product lines, such as queso de bola, cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, spaghetti, elbow and salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, as well as creamer products have maintained their prices since last year.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez shared the news amid recent reports that 92 products have increased their prices.

In a statement, Lopez said every year, there are increases for a few premium brands and most would have minimal increases while brands for mass-based markets do not usually change.

“This is due to their fear of competition and the probability of losing market share in a price-sensitive segment,” he said.

Six products, including queso de bola, spaghetti, and tomato sauce, even decreased their prices by P11 namely Danes Cheese Ball, Amigo Segurado spaghetti, La Filipina spaghetti, Del Monte Filipino Style tomato sauce, and Del Monte Original tomato sauce.

Nine products that have no price increase are queso de bola (Ques-O, Magnolia, Che-Vital, Danes); 11 are cheese (Eden, Danes Classic, Kraft Cheddar, Che-Vital quickmelt); 14 are sandwich spread (Eden, Cheez Whiz, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 14 are mayonnaise (Eden, Best Food, Lady’s Choice); 13 are spaghetti (El Real, Fiesta, La Filipina, Royal, Sunshine, Ideal Gourmet, Balducci, San Remo); 17 are elbow and salad macaroni (Sunshine, Fiesta, Ideal Gourmet, Royal); 19 are spaghetti sauce (Amigo Segurado, UFC, Del Monte, Sunshine, Fiesta, Royal); 10 are tomato sauce (UFC, Del Monte, Amigo); and three are creamer (Angel Krem, Alaska Crema Combi, Asada).

Ham manufacturers have introduced new sizes for some of their products. These variations are available in smaller packs at lower price.

DTI recently issued the SRP of noche buena products as guide for consumers for the holidays.

Noche Buena products are not considered part of the necessities and prime commodities, and are not under price control.

Lopez advised consumers to purchase their noche buena and media noche needs at supermarkets, where prices are monitored by the DTI.

“DTI would like to ensure that consumers will always have the value-for-money product and brand options that they can choose from, especially this Christmas season,” he added.