Beer, soft drinks prices up

Carlsberg Malawi Limited has raised the prices of its alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks due to rising costs of transport and raw materials, according to the company’s corporate affairs officer Towela Munthali.

She said in an interview on Monday that alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks have risen by 14 percent and 23 percent respectively with effect from yesterday [Monday].

“Price increases are set according to various variables some of which are transport and raw materials and inflation outlook. We have a well balanced portfolio of products.

“Pricing of our products obviously requires a great deal of analysis, forward projection and an understanding of consumer dynamics,” said Munthali, arguing that the adjustment is justifiable according to the current economic climate.

She said that the company has over the years been trying to adjust prices annually, but unfavourable uncertainties have not made such plans effective.

According to the new price structure, the raise means that a 300 millilitre (ml) bottle of any soft drink will be selling at a retail price of K160, up from K130 while a two-litre bottle of Sobo Squash is now at K1 200 from K1 050.

Imbibers will have to dig deeper into their pockets as Carlsberg Green in a 300 ml bottle is now at K400 from K350 while Carlsberg Green in a 640 ml bottle, popularly known as Petroda, is at K650 from K580.

Carlsberg Special Brew and Stout in 330 ml bottle will be selling at K400 from K380 while the newly introduced premium Carlsberg Chill has been put at K550 from K470.

The price of Kuche Kuche has been increased to K550 from K500.

Munthali has since assured customers that the company is currently working to ensure that their products are available during the festive season.

In April last year, the company also adjusted prices of beer and soft drinks at average of 20 percent, attributing to rising cost of raw materials and transport.