Three days before the New Year, the prices of fruits are expected to rise by as much as P20 from their current rates.
Fruit vendors said they didn’t increase prices the past week, but these are expected to rise as the New Year approaches due to higher demand.
Having 12 round fruits on the table as one welcomes the New Year is one of the cherished Filipino traditions, as this is believed to ensure prosperity and luck the whole year.
In the Malabon City Public Market, most fruit prices were still within affordable range.
Red grapes cost around P200 per kilo, while the green grapes were at P220 per kilo.
Melons were at P60 to P80 per kilo, while lemons cost around P50 for three pieces (tumpok).
Watermelons were selling at P80 per kilo, oranges at P20 to P25 per piece depending on their size, while kiat-kiat or Mandarin oranges were selling for P140 per kilo.
Jolina, a fruit seller, said fruit prices were not expected to go down but may increase further as the holiday approached.
Another vendor, Christine, shared the same sentiment, emphasizing that demand drives priced higher.
“I think they will increase around P20 to P30 as 1 January approaches, but after the New Year, they will return to their original price.”
Most of the fruits sold in the Malabon City Public Market are usually bought at Divisoria and Balintawak.