BACOLOD CITY — Vendors at the Central Market here expect stable prices of “Undas” food items until the observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1.
The adequate supply of glutinous or sticky rice and sugar, the main ingredients of “suman” and “valenciana” usually served during the occasion, makes it possible for prices to remain steady.
Rice vendor Jonathan Bustillo said there have been no price movements despite the expected increase in demand this week.
As of Wednesday, sticky rice or “pilit” is sold at PHP65 to PHP75 per kilogram while black or “tapul” costs PHP100
per kilogram.
There is abundant supply of rice products in the market sourced from local traders and millers, Bustillo said.
He admitted that fewer consumers are buying sticky rice now compared to previous years when demand was high.
“It is now hard for us to sell up to 15 kilos a day,” the rice vendor said.
Last year, prices of “pilit” were higher. The white variety was then PHP75 per kilogram and the black variety, at PHP80 per kilogram.
Still at the Central Market, vendor Gerlie Sumulong said they expect sales to pick up on Wednesday, but given enough supply, prices are expected to remain steady within the week.
In fact, a decrease in prices of sugar was noted as of Tuesday afternoon.
From the previous week’s PHP46 per kilogram, the price of brown and light brown sugar has decreased to only PHP44 per kilogram.
Washed sugar now costs only PHP50 per kilogram, from PHP52 last week. Refined sugar now sells at PHP62 per kilogram from its previous price of PHP64.
In 2017, both dark and light brown sugar sold at only PHP35 per kilogram and washed and refined sugar, at PHP40 and PHP45 per kilogram, respectively. (/PNA)
