Starbucks Philippines hikes beverage prices by P5

Customers of Starbucks Philippines — operated by Rustan Coffee Corp. — will have to pay more for beverages starting this week, as the company announced a P5 increase in prices.

Starbucks Philippines said it implemented the increase across all its beverages starting Tuesday, September 13, in line with a regular review of its prices.

“We regularly review pricing to allow us to properly balance the experience we provide customers with our need to effectively run the business,” it said.

“We remain committed to providing value to customers in meaningful ways through special promotions and our Starbucks Rewards loyalty program,” it added.

Starbucks Philippines did not elaborate on the factors which contributed to the increase, but it comes amid the higher prices of sugar across the country.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said there is a shortage of about 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar, as local production was impacted by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) late last year.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., and ARC Refreshments Corp. confirmed last month that the industry is facing a shortage of premium refined sugar.

According to the latest data available from the DA, prices in Metro Manila stand at P95 per kilogram for refined sugar, P75 per kilogram for washed sugar, and P70 per kilogram for brown sugar as of September 13, 2022.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in August rejected the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar but said there may be a need to import as much as 150,000 MT come October.

Marcos — the concurrent Secretary of Agriculture and the chair of the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s Board — this week signed an order allocating all sugar produced for the crop year 2022–2023 for domestic consumption. —VBL, GMA News