Festive Spike New Year Celebrations Drive Up Fruit Prices in the Philippines

As the New Year approaches, the Philippines is experiencing a significant rise in the prices of round fruits, a key element in the traditional Media Noche celebration. According to a report, the belief in the auspicious nature of round fruits for the New Year has led to increased prices in various markets.

In Divisoria, one of Manila’s major marketplaces, the price of grapes has surged from P150 to P200 per kilo. Other fruits like ponkans, US red apples, kiwi, Fuji apples, lemons, chico, and dalandan have also seen a hike in prices, with some being sold at P100 per kilo. This trend reflects the strong influence of cultural superstitions on market dynamics, especially during festive seasons​​.