The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers (Naspawap) has stated that henceforth, one sachet water will be sold at 40 pesewas while a bag of sachet water, 500ml by 30pcs, will now sell at GH¢6.00.
Also, it said ice bottled water 500ml, should be retailed at GH¢2.00, and iced bottled water, 750ml or medium size, retailed at GH¢2.50 and 1.5L bottled water GH¢3.50.
According to the Association, the price reviews have been necessitated by the rising cost of inputs, such as fuel and packaging materials which are mainly imported and produced from petroleum sources.
In a statement, the Association in consultation with stakeholders said these reviews serve as a guide to all Regional Associations and to ensure uniformity across the country.
“It is recommended that ice bottled water 500ml be retailed at GH¢2.00, and iced bottled water, 750ml or medium size, be retailed at GH¢2.50 and 1.5L bottled water GH¢3.50.
Iced sachet water remains unchanged at 40p. A bag of sachet water, 500ml by 30pcs, will now sell at GH¢6.00 maximum from the retail trucks. Mini shops will now retail a bag of sachet at GH¢8.00 per bag maximum. These new prices takes effect from Friday April 01, 2022,” it stated.
It explained that, “At our previous review the exchange rate of the dollar was in the region of GH¢6.50. Currently it is inching up to GH¢8.50. Fuel which forms a major cost of distributing the products to the market centers has significantly gone up since our last review. It was GH¢6.50 per liter and now it is above GH¢11 per liter, which is averaging 69.2% change since Jan 1 2022 when the old prices were implemented.”
Meanwhile, the NEC cautioned that there might be slight variations in prices across the regions due to haulage to remote and distant areas.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) wishes to again plead with government and it’s agencies to take a second look at many fees and taxes on the packaged water industry to help reduce the financial burden to save the industry and protect jobs for the youths along the value chain from production to consumption of the packaged water. Also considering the significant impact of the packaged water industry to the eradication of water borne diseases and the achievement of the SDG goals on water,” it added.