Bottled mineral water prices rise by 20-25pc

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Yasir Wardad Prices of different sized bottled mineral water have increased sharply in the market, making the item out of reach of the common people, claimed consumers and retailers. "The prices of bottled mineral water have been increased by 20 to 25 per cent in retail-level within a week, which is putting pressure on the consumers. Sales officers of the water companies are showing various excuses for the price hike of their items," Md Azim, a grocer at Nilkhet area, told the FE. "Everyday we are facing hassle to bargain with the customers while selling bottled mineral water at new increased prices," he added. Another grocer in Old Dhaka said the companies have increased the prices of all the bottles - 0.5 litre, 1.0 litre, 1.5 litres, 2.0 litres and 5.0 litres jar by Tk three to Tk five each. "A half-litre bottle of Mum brand of Partex Group was sold at Tk 12 at retail level, while its wholesale price was Tk 10.75. But its wholesale rate is now Tk 13.75. So, we are selling it at Tk 15," he said. Prices of bottled water of Fresh brand of Meghna Group, Jibon brand of City Group, Acme brand of Sinha Group, Pran brand of Pran-RFL Group, Spa of Akiz Group etc have been increased by 20 to 25 per cent both at retail and wholesale levels within a week, grocers informed. Marketing manager of Partex Beverage Md Akhtaruzzaman told the FE that they have increased the prices of their bottled mineral water after a long time following devaluation of BDT and hike of costs of packaging items and transport. He said, "The companies depend on imported PET Rafin to produce bottles. The recent devaluation of BDT has increased the import cost of PET Rafin." "Besides, the government has increased fuel prices thrice in this year, which has hiked our transport cost significantly. As a result of all these factors, the prices of bottled mineral water have also been increased," he added. Meanwhile, the grocers and consumers claimed that there is no marketing activity visible for the WASA-owned Shanti brand mineral water. Md Shamsul Islam, officer of a private bank, told the FE that he bought a half-litre water bottle at Tk 10 a few months ago, but the same has been sold at Tk 15 now. "We are loosing the capacity of buying bottled water day by day. It would be better, if all the grocers sell WASA's Shanti brand, each half-litre bottle costing only Tk 8 to 9, at their shops." Former director general of the Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO) M Enamul Hauqe told the FE that the Shanti brand bottled water should be promoted in the market. "Scientifically Shanti is better in quality than other brands. But the WASA takes no initiative to promote the item in market, which can stabilise the bottled water market to some extent and facilitate the citizens."