Candle prices up 22% - DTI

MANILA, Philippines - Prices of candles have increased by as much as 22 percent compared to the rates a week ago as people prepared for All Saints’ Day, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported yesterday.

The DTI’s latest price monitoring report showed that four pieces of Esperma #18 candles now cost P42 per piece when it was only P34.25 a year ago. The Liwanag V#1 candles now cost P74.13 per piece.

Trade Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Maglaya said candle prices have gone up not just because of the high demand but also because the prices of raw materials also increased. Candles are petroleum-based products and the high oil prices have a direct impact on their prices.

Maglaya said the department has issued a suggested retail price (SRP) for candles but she clarified that it does not cover all candles just the basic ones that are used by households when there is power interruption.

She noted that scented and decorative candles are not included in the SRP. The SRP for four pieces of Liwanag #16 candles is P31.75 and the price monitoring report showed that the candle is being sold below the SRP at P21.75. Four pieces of Liwanag #14 have an SRP of P51.75 but are reportedly being sold at P46.50.

The DTI said that with regard to flowers, one dozen of the small anthurium costs P280 while 12 pieces of the large anthurium are worth from P530 to P750.

One dozen asters is P150 while a bundle of carnations is P250. The chrysanthemum is priced at P180 per dozen. A bunch of daisies is P250 while a dozen of Holland Lilium costs P1,500. Three pieces of local mums cost P60 while the Malaysian mums are P300 for a bouquet.

The price monitoring further showed that a bunch of orchids is P550 and five pieces of stargazer are P600.

A bouquet of gerbera is P1,500 and five pieces of casa blanca are P600.

Maglaya said they expected flower prices to go up because it has been the practice every year.

She said the floods in the North specifically in Baguio also affected the supply of flowers.

She said consumers that have complaints against unscrupulous traders are advised to file a complaint at the DTI.