No price increase for affordable flour, bread products

Flour and bread prices will remain stable as the holiday season looms after flour and bread groups commit not to increase prices, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Friday.

The Philippine Association of Flour Millers (PAFMIL) and the Philippine Baking Industry Group (PhilBaking) gave their respective commitments in separate meetings with the DTI on October 11 that “Pinoy Tasty” will remain at P35.00 per 450-gram loaf, “Pinoy Pandesal” at P21.50 per 250-gram pack, and “Harinang Pinoy” at P670-P680 per bag.

“Our mandate is to make sure that manufactured products are kept at reasonable prices. We assure the public that they will always have affordable options for staple items like bread and flour,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement.

Pinoy Tasty, Pinoy Pandesal, and Harinang Pinoy are DTI initiatives in providing affordable options for consumers.

PhilBaking members Gardenia, French Baker, Uncle George, Tiffany, and Marby produce to sell the generic brands at the same price.

Harinang Pinoy is a DTI project with the PAFMIL.

“The prices of Pinoy Tasty, Pinoy Pandesal, and Harinang Pinoy are even decreasing. I urge consumers to always choose quality, yet more affordable options when buying products,” Lopez said.

According to the DTI, Pinoy Tasty was selling at P38.50 and Pinoy Pandesal at P25.00 when the products were introduced in October 2011. Harinang Pinoy started in 2012 at an original price of P750 per bag.

“PAFMIL said that there are now 21 flour millers in the country and total imports are equivalent to one miller’s worth of flour. They said that competition is keeping their prices low and they are committed to keep the price of Harinang Pinoy at P670-P680 per bag,” the DTI said. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News