How much should your Noche Buena items cost? DTI releases price guide for 2023
Excited for Christmas yet? Who isn't? It's a time for friends and family to get together and share a meal. However, the rising cost of groceries can make it difficult for many to afford a traditional Noche Buena feast. With inflation, some people are having to make tough choices about what to put on the table.
With that in mind, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released the list of suggested retail prices (SRP) of Noche Buena items for 2023 to help consumers with their holiday spending.
The guide shows 240 SKUs from 22 manufacturers including Alaska, Del Monte, Dole, Nestle, RFM, San Miguel Foods, Unilever, and more.
It covers 12 categories: ham, fruit cocktail, cheese, keso de bola, mayonnaise, sandwich spread, pasta/spaghetti, elbow macaroni, salad macaroni, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and all-purpose cream.
Out of the entire list, 23 items have reportedly decreased their SRP, including 500g of Virginia Brick Ham from P219 to P199. Magnolia's Quezo de Bola 350g also decreased from P220 to P210, while the 1kg of Royal Elbow Macaroni which was at P117 is now at P108.25.
Meanwhile, 36 SKUs have remained the same compared to the previous year, including Best Food Sandwich Spread 80ml sachet which is priced at P27, UFC Filipino Style Tomato Sauce 1kg at P92.50, and King Sue Piña Ham whole meat 1kg at P637.
LOOK | The Department of Trade and Industry releases the 2023 Noche Buena Price Guide.
View and download a high-resolution version:https://t.co/QKNpn6bxSt pic.twitter.com/u0bUEeGAv6— DTI Philippines (@DtiPhilippines) November 22, 2023
If you're making the crowd-favorite spaghetti, the prices of spaghetti sauce range between P23.55 to P103, while tomato sauces are from P15.50 to P92.25.
Those who want to serve ham may have to spend around P169 to P898.50.
The whole list can be found here. DTI also advised consumers to compare their shopping items and consider all their options before buying. As such, always check the labels of the products and check their expiry date and price tag.
The price guide, DTI noted, is only effective until the end of the year.