/ 3 February 1999

SAB HIKES BEER PRICE

SOUTH African Breweries announced to retailers on Monday that it is to increase the price of its wholesale beer by up to 10%. The rise could see the consumer paying considerably more for a beer after accounting for VAT and varying mark-ups. According to SAB the price of cans — both 340ml and long-toms — will rise by 8,8%, dumpies (340ml nonreturnable bottles) by 10%, pints by 9,8% and quarts by 5%. SAB cited the fall in the value of the rand as the reason for the increase.