Consumers will pay more for packaged water beginning October 31, following the rise in the cost of production.
A bag of sachet water will be selling for GH¢10 while one sachet water will increase from 50 pesewas to 60 pesewas.
The various sizes of bottled water will sell between GH¢2.50 and GH¢5.00.
A statement from the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers noted that “in the open market, consumers may expect to purchase a bag of sachet water between GH12.00 and GH15.00 depending on the shop location.”
Sachet water producers cite rising fuel prices and other input costs as the reasons for the increment.
For example, it said Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association (GPMA) released new prices of plastic films and preforms used in sachet and bottled water packaging.
“As a result, most packaged water producers are currently unable to purchase materials to the expected levels while others are not operating as they cannot afford the losses of 45% on their working capital,” the statement noted.
Earlier this week, the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (NASPAWAP) threatened to halt production in the country over recent economic challenges.
According to the executives of NASPAWAP, the depreciation of the cedi, increment of fuel prices, and inflation are affecting their business.
“The packaged water industry relies heavily on imported plastic pallets/granules used in the manufacture of the polythene films and pet bottle preforms, that are used to package the treated water for consumers.
“It is important to note that packaging alone forms about 60 per cent of the production cost for sachet and bottled water. Diesel fuel used for distributing the packaged water to market centres for consumers was around 15 percent of the product cost as at the third quarter of last year,” it said in a statement on Monday.