Jean Marie Niyokindi, Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism says the decision taken by the brewery company-Brarudi is temporarily suspended until there is consultation between competent authorities. “Burundi government is a shareholder in Brarudi and it hasn’t been consulted before the company took such a decision,” told the Minister to Isanganiro Journalists. He exhorts the company to review its decision. Minister Jean Marie Niyokindi also urges consumers to continue to pay the same price as before.
Trade Ministry calls on consumers to continue to pay the same price as before.
The same view is shared by Pierre Nduwayo, the chairman of the Consumers’ Association-ABUCO. He says the brewery company has increased the price of some beverages without consultation. “Our different views should be considered before increasing any price. The consultation should also be held when the price of raw materials decreased,” he says.
Mr. Nduwayo also says the price of other products would therefore increase. “There is no doubt that the price of other products will increase. But it would be better to have consultation so that we could agree on the issue,” says ABUCO chairman.
Brarudi has increased the price of some beverages from 29 January following the increase in price of the raw material. The price of Nyongera beer (72 cl) that is highly consumed by rural people has risen from BIF 1000 to 1100. The bottle of Amstel 65cl has increased from BIF 1800 to 1900. Amstel Bock 33 cl now costs BIF 1300 instead of 1200 while the price of Amstel Royale 50cl has gone from BIF 2000 to 2200. The prices of other Brarudi products remain unchanged.
In the national budget 2018-2019, Burundi government expects to collect the specific taxes of BIF 39,600 per 100 liters on beers and BIF 30,000 per 100 liters on lemonades.
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