BY NAPOLEON OLASO | UM INTERN
AS HOLY Week nears, vendors in Agdao Public Market are reporting slight increases in the prices of select goods, especially fish and produce commonly used during the season.
Fish prices have gone up, with Matambaka now selling for ₱260 per kilo from its previous ₱240, and Moromoro reaching ₱60 per kilo. Vendors say this is due to increased demand and anticipate prices may rise further before the weekend.
Tilapia remains at ₱100 per kilo, while other popular choices like danggit and bangus are priced at ₱200 and ₱220 per kilo, respectively.
Coconut, often used in traditional Holy Week dishes like binignit, is now ₱21 each—a noticeable increase from previous weeks. Sellers don’t expect further price hikes but note that supplies are tight.
Chicken prices have remained unchanged at ₱195 per kilo since January, while pork is seeing a slight drop. Live pork is now around ₱200 per kilo, and dressed pork ranges from ₱340 to ₱360, depending on supply and transport costs.
Fruit prices are relatively stable. Mangoes sell for ₱120 per kilo, while watermelon and oranges go for ₱50. Apples are priced at ₱25 each. Kamote, another binignit ingredient, is at ₱60 per kilo and may go up slightly during the week.
Vegetable prices are mixed. Ampalaya has doubled to ₱80 per kilo, while items like carrots, eggplants, and potatoes have seen price drops in recent days.
Despite the fluctuations, vendors say supply remains steady overall.
