Inbev hikes prices by 3.3%

Inbev UK is increasing prices across its beer brands, including Stella, by an average of 3.3%. The hike will apply to both on- and off-trade prices, effective from September 15, 2008.

The increase in prices, for the second time this year, comes as the company says that it is reviewing its wholesale pricing because steep rises in energy, packaging and transport costs.

“The brewing process is a very heavy user of energy so rises have an immediate impact on the price of producing a pint,” says Stuart Macfarlane, President, Inbev UK & Ireland.

In February, 2008, it had raised prices of its products owing to “structural increase in prices of raw materials”.

“The sheer size of increases in the recent months and further rises across every element of our business, means that we now reluctantly have to pass on these increases to customers,” Macfarlane adds.

UK beer sales fell 4.5% for the three months to 30 June, according to British Beer and Pub Association figures released last week.