Drinks, which are in huge demand in the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet), will not skyrocket thanks to price-stabilizing measures, beverage companies predicted.
Saigon Beer Corp. said its products will not fetch exorbitant prices like last year as the company had requested its distributors not to allow hikes to exceed 15 percent as well as ensuring strict compliance.
This will save consumers large sums as the company’s 333 Saigon beer currently holds 80 percent of the market’s beer packets which people buy as gifts.
Heineken beer has gone up by VND7,000 (40 US cents) a packet to VND250,000 ($16) a packet since mid December 2005.
“The price, however, won’t surge further, as it’s too high already,” beer traders said.
Tran Quy Thanh, CEO of Tan Hiep Phat Co. Ltd, producer of Ben Thanh beer, said he too did not expect excessive surges in beer prices.
Beer will also be in good supply this year, beer companies assured.
Meanwhile, soft drink prices have also begun to inch up by some VND2,000-3,000 per packet. A hike in sugar prices is responsible for the increase, up VND12,000 72 US cents) to VND13,000 ahead of Tet.
The Lunar New Year, which begins January 29, is a good time for family reunions and social gatherings in which beer and soft drinks are indispensable during Tet meals.
Thanh Nien Daily
Vietnamese
