The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is currently reviewing petitions for modest price increases on canned sardines as manufacturers face rising fuel and logistics costs, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said Monday.
Speaking on the state of essential goods, Roque assured the public that most items under government price monitoring remain stable. “Around 68 percent of products show no price increase despite inflationary pressures,” she noted.
The trade department conducted price checks in major retail hubs including Baclaran and Divisoria in preparation for the upcoming school year. Officials are expected to release a comprehensive price guide for school supplies in the coming days.
Roque explained that the proposed sardine price hikes, affecting less than 10 percent of brands, are still under careful DTI review.
“Sardines only,” she clarified, citing fuel expenses for fishing vessels and transportation to processing plants as the primary drivers, rather than packaging costs.
“Vessels use fuel at sea, and then again transporting to manufacturing plants,” she added, highlighting the ripple effect of logistics on production costs.
While no increases have been approved, Roque emphasized that the government is in close consultation with manufacturers. “We are still reviewing. I have been speaking directly with them one by one,” she said.
Despite these pressures, Roque said many producers remain cooperative, aware of the importance of keeping basic goods affordable for consumers. “Of course, we appeal to manufacturers. It’s for the consumers. We really also understand their situation,” she stressed.
The DTI’s updated suggested retail price (SRP) list, which will cover essential goods and school supplies, is expected to be published in the coming weeks. The review signals the government’s continued balancing act between supporting manufacturers and shielding consumers from inflationary shocks.
