On September 19th, the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) will implement a new price increase for their products.
The Association mandates that retail water sachets (500 ml, 30 count) be sold from mobile vending machines for no more than 7. However, the most that mini marts will charge per bag is nine dollars.
Water in sachets will cost 0.50p, while 500ml bottles will cost $2. Bottled iced water, 750 ml or medium size, will cost 3.00.
The increase in fuel costs and the decline in the value of the cedi were cited by NASPAWAP as the reasons for the price adjustment in a statement released on Wednesday.
“The price reviews have been necessitated by the rising cost of inputs such as fuel and packaging materials which are mainly imported, increases in electricity and water which took effect from September 1, 2022.
“At our previous review in March 2022, the dollar was in the region of ¢8.5. Currently, it is inching up to ¢10. Fuel prices have significantly gone up since our last review. It was 9 and now it is ¢14.5, which is a 61 % change since March 23, 2022.”
Parts of the statement, however, cautioned that there might be slight variations in prices across the regions due to haulage to remote and distant areas.
The Association further appealed to all and sundry to cooperate with the dealers since the adjustment is to reduce the production cost of manufacturers.
“The suggested adjustment is to help producers cover their production costs. We appreciate the difficulties our consumers have to go through to endure these hardships. We appeal to all to bare with us.”