The price of sachet water is to sell at ¢0.60p, effective Monday, October 31. The product has been selling at GH¢0.50p per sachet since September 19.
A statement issued by the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) also recommended that ice bottled water 500ml be retailed at GH¢2.50p, and iced bottled water, 750ml or medium size, be retailed at GH¢3.50p while a 1.5L bottle be retailed at GH¢5.00
“It is recommended that Iced bottled water, 500ml be retailed at GH¢2.50, and iced bottle water 750ml or medium size bottled water be retailed at GH¢3.50, iced bottle water the 1.5L be retailed at GH¢5.00,” the statement read.
The Association also indicated that “a bag of sachet water (500ml x 30 sachets) will now sell at GH¢ 10.00 from the retail trucks as ex truck price. However, in the open market, consumers may expect to purchase a bag of sachet water between GH¢ 12.00 and GH¢ 15.00 depending on the shop location.”
The Association also noted that the retail price of a bag of sachet water and packs of bottled water from mini shops would be determined by various retail associations highly dependent on other determinants such as rent and overheads.
The group has attributed the rise in the price of the product to the rising cost of raw materials, fuel, and the depreciating cedi.
“On the 24th of October, a ton of sachet film was increased from GH¢ 25,000.00 to GH¢36,000.00 representing a 44% rise, same on preforms. Diesel fuel price is about GH¢20.00 per liter at the pumps as of Wednesday 26th October.
This means producers’ working capital had dwindled by about 45% within 7 days since the NEC issued the distress call to the government. As a result, most packaged water producers cannot purchase materials to the expected levels while others are not operating as they cannot afford the losses of 45% on their working capital.”
To ensure consistency across the country, the association urged all regional associations to refer to the reviews. It did, however, warn of the possibility of minor variations across regions and towns due to haulage to remote and distant areas.
The group urged consumers to bear with the new adjustment while they continue to seek government intervention to reduce some of the industry’s taxes.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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