Carlsberg Malawi hikes prices of beer, soft drinks

Carlsberg Malawi has confirmed it has adjusted prices for beer and soft drinks by an average of 20 percent.

With the new prices, the cost of 300 milliliters Carlsberg Green  is now pegged at $0.7 (K300); while the 640 milliliter bottle is now selling at $ 1.13 (K470).

Minerals have been adjusted to $ 0.29 (K120) from $ 0.24 (K100) and some traders are even selling them at $ 0.34 (K140).

The brand of Carlsberg Special Brew and Stout are selling at $ 0.8 (K320) from $ 0.7 (K270).

Carlsberg Malawi corporate communications officer Towela Pilling attributed the price increases to “ a number of variables, including raw material costs, commodity price cycles, transportation, freight costs (fuel cost), exchange rates and the general inflation outlook.”

The brewer said they cannot completely rule out price adjustments in the course of time.

Economic observers say the price increase would impact on inflationary pressures.

Malawi inflation is hovering around 35 percent, according to National Statistics Office in Zomba.