Suppliers line up for price hike

Thai President Foods, the manufacturer of Mama instant noodles, wants to increase its selling price by Bt1 per pack after having raised the price from Bt5 to Bt6 per pack in December last year.

A source at the company said that it could not maintain the same price because of skyrocketing raw material costs, in particular that of wheat flour.

 As it controls the lion's share of the market, the move would encourage other instant-noodle manufacturers to ask for price increases as well.

 A survey of consumer goods prices found that most suppliers, who had committed to  the ministry to quote retail prices 10-20 per cent lower than market prices or to freeze prices, have already adjusted their prices. They had promised to maintain prices until October. 

Consumer-goods makers had agreed to freeze prices for at least six months from March 6 following a Commerce Ministry request. But the survey found that prices of most products have already risen. Products whose prices have increased are powder milk, detergent, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and body powder.

Internal Trade Department director-general Yangyong Phuangrach said yesterday that the department would consider the recommended price of cooking oil and dairy products this week.

Thai Soap, Detergent and Personal Care Manufacturers' Association president Prapot Nanthawatsiri said all firms are shouldering losses of 5-10 per cent per unit of manufactured goods due to the soaring oil prices and other factors.