THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), for the moment, does not see price increases for food items traditionally consumed by Filipinos on Christmas Eve.

"For now, no price increase," acting Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer Roque said.

"We will stick to the prices [that we have] now so that we give the consumers the price that is fit for them."

Discussions with the department's Fair Trade Consumer Protection Group are also still pending as to whether this year's Noche Buena price bulletin will be retained from 2023.

Over 150 Christmas product lines posted increases in prices last year compared to 2022.

The 2023 price guide had 240 stock keeping units (SKUs) produced by 22 manufacturers. It was divided into 12 categories and included ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, queso de bola, mayonnaise, sandwich spread, pasta/spaghetti noodles, spaghetti and tomato sauce, and all-purpose cream.

That price guide also featured tips for consumers and highlighted SKUs with no price changes or had lower prices. A total of 21 SKUs became cheaper, while 34 had no price change.

Roque said the 2024 guide could be made available by November and that discussions on prices would continue as the holiday season drew closer.

"We're still going to be talking to the manufacturers, but I've spoken to some, and I've also discussed with them. For now, no price increase yet," she said.

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